KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo City Commissioners will reconsider a request to fund what’s being called a “real time crime fighting center” downtown that could tap into existing security cameras in downtown businesses to identify and apprehend criminals.
City Planning Director Antonio Mitchell says such systems have proven useful in other cities, and the pilot has shown it can do the same in Kalamazoo.
Action was delayed earlier this month when some residents asked for time to learn more about the system.
The first year of the program would be funded by a grant from downtown businesses.
Commissioners will be asked tonight for additional funding for two more years of operation.
Commissioners will also be asked to accept a $5,974,694 grant from the U.S Department of Transportation to plan the city’s plans to redesign all of its major downtown streets and eliminate the one way traffic.
That planning is in the early stages, and community meetings are being held for the reconfiguration of Kalamazoo Avenue, which is just one of 10 downtown streets that will be rebuilt.
reporting from John McNeill
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