Today, Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that the Depew Police Department recently purchased 25 body cameras thanks to $120,000 in funding that she secured in the 2021-22 state budget. The cameras use cloud-based storage and are designed to start filming automatically once an officer initiatives emergency lights on a patrol vehicle.

Depew police are expected to begin using the new cameras in mid-September. The cameras were purchased using $60,000 of the funding secured by Assemblymember Wallace, while the remainder will go to support additional equipment for first responders.

“Body cameras are an effective way to increase transparency and record police interactions,” said Assemblymember Wallace. I’m happy to do whatever I can to ensure our officers have the tools and resources they need to keep all of us safe. I thank the brave men and women of the Depew Police Department for all that they do for our community.”

“These cameras are the latest, state-of-the-art technology, and will help us with trans-parency, gathering evidence, and maintaining records of encounters between our police officers and the public,” said Depew Police Captain Timothy Norek. “Thank you to Assemblymember Wallace for securing the state funding to help us purchase this valuable equipment.”

“On behalf of myself, the Village Board, Depew Police Department and the residents & businesses of Depew, I would like to thank Assemblymember Monica Wallace for securing the necessary funding to outfit every police officer with a body camera,” said Village of Depew Mayor Kevin Peterson. “During last summer's New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative initiative, it was agreed that outfitting each police officer would be a good way to protect both the officer and the public. I came across a statement that I truly believe in – ‘If officers and citizens are being watched, we are both more liable to do the right thing.’”

Assemblymember Wallace has long demonstrated her commitment to supporting first responders and other vital public services in her community. She has secured $10,000 for the Lancaster Police Department to equip every police vehicle with a defibrillator, $250,000 for the Depew Fire Department to replace its breathing equipment, and $150,000 for new emergency traffic signals for South Line Fire Department.