AG Presents Checks for more than $238,000 to Three Agencies for 442 Body-Worn Cameras as Part of Statewide Program to Support Local Law Enforcement Departments
Attorney General Letitia James today presented the Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Amherst Police Departments with funds to support body-worn camera (BWC) programs. The Buffalo Police Department received $150,000 for 300 BWCs, the Amherst Police Department received $37,240 for 49 BWCs, and the Niagara Falls Police Department will receive $51,759 for 93 BWCs and eight BWC docking stations. These funds were provided by the Attorney General’s Capture an Account of a Material Situation (CAMS) program, which is awarding 13 law enforcement agencies around the state with more than $1 million to purchase 891 body-worn cameras and 321 body-worn camera systems through the CAMS program.
“The safety of our communities is our top priority and body-worn cameras are critical tools for promoting public safety,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Body-worn cameras provide increased transparency and accountability that help to keep all New Yorkers safe. Communities throughout Erie and Niagara Counties will be better served because of this program.”
The CAMS program, which was launched in July 2018 and is funded with money recovered from organized crime takedowns carried out by the Attorney General’s Office, provides body-worn cameras and body-worn camera systems to local law enforcement agencies. Body-worn cameras create independent accounts of encounters between police and the public, increasing transparency and accountability and often providing critical evidence in investigations.
In addition to the Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Amherst Police Departments, funds have been or will be provided to:
Albany County Sheriff’s OfficeMonroe County Sheriff’s Office
Rochester Police Department
Suffolk County Police Department
Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office
Syracuse Police Department
Troy Police Department
Utica Police Department
Ulster County Sheriff’s Office
Westchester County Department of Public Safety
