HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — If you are in the city of Detroit and see flashing green lights on a business you know police are monitoring live surveillance camera feeds there. It is called Project Green Light.
Now the communities of Highland Park and Ecorse are launching Project Blue Light.
So far the City of Highland Park has installed flashing blue lights on public buildings such as its satellite police station on Woodward and at its recreation center. The light sends notice a surveillance camera is up that police are watching.
It is a system similar to Detroit’s Green Light project, with additional features. For example, Police will be able to speak to those under surveillance.
“The monitors will be able to interact in real time with whoever they are seeing on camera,” said Charles William Lackey, Director of Information Technology in Highland Park.
Lackey says the city is ready to take it to the next level. It has a $175,000 state grant that will help pay for a system to monitor 75 cameras in both Highland Park and Ecorse.
The communities teamed up, knowing that grants that benefit multiple communities are more likely to be granted. Businesses will have the opportunity to buy some of the monitored cameras.
“Our message is to join us in making the community safer. Make your business safer,” said Hubert Yopp, Highland Park Mayor.
There is a cost that is still being worked out.
If your business is interested in having a camera contact Highland Park at https://highlandparkmi.gov/Contact-Us.aspx.
