PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Chester Police Department says a focus on technology has helped reduce violent crime in the city.
Police commanders gave a video demonstration of a free mobile app Tuesday that's now available for people to use when they see crimes being committed.
"You can take photos and download photos," explained Commissioner Otis Blair. "We're working on setting up a system where you'll be able to do short video clips. You provide your information — you can be anonymous if you wish. Whatever you see, provide the information and just send it to us. And you don't have to worry, there's no way for us to backtrack."
Chester is among the first police departments in Pennsylvania to use the app. The rollout comes with the release of new statistics showing that crime in the city was down almost across the board in 2018. Homicides dropped by 38 percent; rapes fell by 52 percent.
Police Chief James Nolan credits an emphasis on open-air cameras, modeled after the system that Camden uses, which has "a command center that's manned by analysts and police officers."
"And in the near future," he continued, "all the cameras in the city will be in that one standard location and we'll be able to real-time tell the police what's going on."
Nolan said the cops on the street are also presenting a friendlier face, especially to teenagers and children.
To download the app on Google Play or the App Store, search "Chester Police Department."
