Donora to buy bridge cameras

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Donora police will invest in cameras at the Donora-Monessen bridge to capture license plates as vehicles leave town.

The cameras will photograph the plates of cars that leave using the bridge or that continue on Route 837 heading up the hill toward Carroll Township. 

The camera technology will be purchased with equitable share money from a drug bust. It will cost about $1,000 and there will be a $50 monthly maintenance fee from Crystalline Technology of Monessen.

Borough Administrator Terri Petroske said it’s the same kind of technology that helped to capture three people accused of armed robberies Monday in Monessen and Rostraver Township and Tuesday in Monongahela, in addition to two other towns.

“I think this will pay for itself,” said Councilwoman Jane Ackerman.

Councilman Donnie Pavelko said the camera will be strategically placed on the bridge to capture vehicles leaving town. In part, Pavelko said, the location was chosen because it will catch the license plate numbers of tractor trailers that have been responsible for causing damage to telephone poles.

“I don’t know, are we interested in trucks or robberies,” Councilman Joe Greco asked.

Pavelko said it would work for either incident.

“It will be an interactive service,” Pavelko said. “If something happens in Charleroi, Monessen can track it. There are a few other communities interested in getting the technology.”

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