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Williamsport City Council approves Crimewatch purchase

City Council approved the purchase of a digital site for police Thursday night.

The Crimewatch site will be interactive allowing those with residential or commercial surveillance cameras to register them with police.

Police can then contact the owners if they investigate a crime or a hit and run accident the camera may help in evidence collection, city Police Chief Damon R. Hagan said.

The site is expected to boost the department image and provide a wealth of information to help police to solve crimes and locate wanted individuals.

It will have many statistics and links for the public. It cost $6,332 for a one-year pilot, half of which will be paid for by District Attorney Ryan Gardner’s office.

The department will ask to transfer money in a budgeted line item for dress jackets to get the site running, Hagan said.

Manheim Township Police Department was a model for council to study. The department has about 64 officers and has been using the site.

The site has features such as crime information, daily blotter posts, instructions on how to obtain a report and what outline of department structure.

The site can be linked to mobile devices.

Councilman Vincent Pulizzi wanted to know if the mobile app would allow people to provide tips. He was told it will be shareable and can allow police to obtain information.

The vote was 7 to 0 to approve the site.

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