ELKINS — The chief of the Elkins Police Department said officials are moving forward with the implementation of a street camera system that will utilize license plate reader technology in an effort to detect and prevent crime.

“Today we did have all of our partners on site for the street camera project, with all the different entities that are helping out on that,” EPD Chief Travis Bennett told Elkins City Council during their most recent meeting.

“Several representatives from the city are going to be involved in that. We went around, starting looking at locations, sites, and discussing strategy on that. So that was a very productive meeting. Glad to get that done.

“I’m still working on all of the grant paperwork and we’ll have that submitted next week,” Bennett said. “So we’re moving right along with that.”

Two weeks ago, Bennett issued a press release thanking officials for helping bring in federal funding for the project.

“The City of Elkins would like to thank Sen. Joe Manchin III and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito for their efforts in securing $950,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Elkins Police Department,” Bennett wrote in the release.

“This investment will allow EPD to make significant technology upgrades that will greatly assist us in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Elkins and our visitors. The most notable portion of this project will be the implementation of a street camera system utilizing license plate reader technology.

“Systems such as these have proven to be very effective at assisting law enforcement agencies in preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activity,” Bennett wrote. “This system will also provide valuable assistance in non-criminal tasks such as traffic crash investigation, missing persons, and monitoring roadway conditions during inclement weather.”

During the city council meeting, Bennett said his department is also moving forward with other projects as well.

“Next week will be a big week for us as well,” he told council members. “We are fielding body cams next week. Glad to get that done. Also, we’ll be filming our recruiting video for the department. That should be interesting too.

“So if you see cameras floating around and odd happenings, just look the other way, unless you want to be in the movies,” he said with a chuckle.