The Jamestown City Council on Monday approved the purchase of new security cameras. The systems have helped the Jamestown Police Department in a variety of cases in addition to monitoring traffic. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

The Jamestown Police Department plans to expand its downtown security camera program, which has helped in a variety of investigations over the past few years.

The cameras, six systems in total with two cameras at each locations capable of panning and zooming in when necessary, are positioned in high-traffic areas and can be monitored live by the department. Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings said footage can aid officers looking into traffic accidents or by investigators reviewing a nearby incident.

“We have used them for a variety of reasons,” said Snellings, noting that footage can be stored “for some time” from each camera system, allowing officers to go back to a specific date and time. “We have a live feed going to command, so they’re up at all time.”

The department has been able to use the cameras to aid in its investigations. In a Jan. 30, 2019, drive-by shooting in the area of West Ninth and North Main streets, investigators were able to review the cameras to determine that the shooter was inside a sedan when shots struck a person walking in a group on West Ninth Street.

The vehicle was later found unattended after a photograph was released to the media.

Rasul N. Bonds, a 32-year-old Jamestown resident, is set to go to trial beginning March 3 on charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault for his part in the drive-by shooting. The incident was described by police as a “targeted attack,” though no further motive has been released.

Snellings said footage has also aided in a recent missing person search.

The program will soon be expanded with the help of four additional camera systems, with locations including Eighth and Washington streets, Third and North Main streets, Second and Buffalo streets, and Forest and Newland avenues.

“We’ve identified high-volume vehicle areas where there have been some traffic issues,” Snellings said.

The Jamestown City Council on Monday approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into an agreement with DFT Communications for the purchase of PTZ Cameras and two Cisco switches in the amount of $47,899. The city is also looking to replace two aging systems, located at Second and Washington streets and Third and Washington streets.