Paterson to fight crime with 50 surveillance cameras in downtown
By: Joe Malinconico
Paterson Press
PATERSON - Surveillance cameras, normally deployed in highp0crime neighborhoods, would be installed in the downtown business district under a $1.2 million plan approved by the City Council on June 23. [2026]
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The city is using $503,597 of its Urban Enterprise Zone funding to buy the 50 cameras, along with 20 license-plate readers, which will send their video feed sot the police department's control center.
..... The funding comes from the state and is raised through sales taxes collected in urban enterprise zones.
..... In conjunction with the camera purchases, Paterson is spending $731,000 for 310 LED lights, at a cost of about 42,300 each, to replace broken fixtures in the downtown commercial district.
..... Urban enterprise Zone director Kenneth Rosado listed the six downtown streets that would get the new lights and cameras, including Main Street from Crooks Avenue to Lower Main.
..... Councilman Luis Velez took exception.
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"You mentions Crooks avenue,. That's not downtown," Velez asserted. "That's in South Paterson.
..... South Paterson businesses and residents have been an important base of support for Mayor Andre Sayegh.
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Velez said the ward he represents, the 5th, has plenty of streets covered by the Urban Enterprise Zone boundaries.
..... "I don't want to feel like I'm being left behind in any project that we have money to invest," Velez asserted.
..... Council Vice President Maritza Davila responded by saying the inclusion of South Paterson in the lighting and camera project should not be seen as favoritism because, she said, Crooks Avenue is one of the UEZ corridors.
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The five other areas Rosado identified as getting the cameras and new lights are all within what most people would consider Paterson's traditional downtown business area:
* Market Street from Mill Street to Summer Street.
* Broadway from Main Street to Memorial Drive.
* Ellison Street from Main Street to Memorial Drive.
* Memorial Drive from Market Street to Broadway.
* Ward Street from Main Street to Clark Street.
..... Officials said there would be three additional phases for the lights and cameras program.
..... "Public safety is my top priority," Sayegh said.
....."By improving lighting and adding security measures in our commercial corridors, we're helping deter crime, supporting our local businesses, and making sure residents feel safer when they are shopping and visiting these areas."