Thanks to a recent $1.2 million federal transit grant and a donation from Target Corporation, the Saint Paul Police Department is increasing safety & security along our Central Corridor.  We are now in a position to monitor and respond to over 35 surveillance cameras along the entire length of the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) route along university Avenue, from the border of Minneapolis to the downtown Depot.

The project, called the Central Corridor Security Camera Partnership, is part of our Safe City Initiative.  This comprehensive partnership among police, businesses and residents provides necessary crime-fighting components along 12 miles of roadway through the heart of our city.

This innovative technology fundamentally changes the way the Saint Paul Police Department operates, giving officers the ability to view, record and respond to illegal behavior simultaneously.

Expansion capability is built into the system.  We have already begun adding cameras throughout the downtown business district to create a more robust network.  We will also be able to increase the number of stakeholders.  We expect the system will eventually include electronic information-sharing, private security video monitoring and improved radio communications.

We are very excited about using innovative methods to confront and resolve citizens' safety issues, and we hope for continued increase in community support for the project.  This Safe City Initiative has given the Saint Paul Police the tools it needs to prevent, detect and better investigate crime to help keep our citizens much safer.

Doug Holtz
Commander
St. Paul Police Department