Fair Haven Police Receive $81.5K Grant For Body-Worn Cameras

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — The Fair Haven Police Department will receive a $52,988 grant for the purchase of 26 body-worn cameras, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced this week.

The announcement marks the first time that the state will fund all 487 law enforcement agencies that applied to the Attorney General's Office for grant funding to purchase body-worn cameras and associated equipment per the governor's mandate.

In November, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that required ever uniformed patrol officer in the state to be outfitted with a body-worn camera while on duty by June 1, 2021. Read more here: Gov. Murphy Signs Body Camera Mandates For All NJ Police Into Law

The policy seeks to further strengthen transparency and public trust by recording a wider range of police-citizen encounters, particularly those with a greater likelihood to result in a use-of-force or internal affairs complaint, officials said.

In fact, a study conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2012 showed that the use of force by police officers wearing cameras fell by 59 percent from the previous year. Complaints against officers using body cameras fell by 87 percent.

On May 25, Grewal issued a directive that set the foundation for the proper use of body-worn cameras throughout the state. The policy that in addition to uniformed patrol officers, a broad range of officers engaged in additional functions should also be equipped with body cameras. This includes officers assigned to tactical teams, proactive enforcement teams, canine units, or duties involving regular interaction with the public.

"As we work to strengthen trust between our officers and the diverse communities they serve, the need for accountability and transparency in policing has never been greater," Grewal said. "Body cameras are a powerful tool to help us in these efforts. By acting as an unbiased witness to law enforcement actions, they help to safeguard equal justice, while also protecting the vast majority of officers who do the right thing day-in and day-out."

Statewide, 28,214 cameras will be purchased at a total cost of $57.5 million. The Attorney General's Office is administering the grant program on a reimbursement basis, with agencies receiving funding at $2,038 per camera, which may be used for the purchase of cameras and equipment needed to operate them, and towards the costs of storing footage from the cameras.

The following funding is being awarded to county-level agencies in Monmouth County:

• Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office: $264,940 (130 BWC)
• Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office: $203,800 (130 BWC)

"We are witnessing a new chapter in policing in New Jersey with the reforms we are implementing in partnership with law enforcement and community leaders. And, with the body cameras we are funding, we will literally have an objective witness to how police carry out their duties," said Gov. Murphy, who joined Grewal, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, and federal, state and local officials in a Tuesday announcement.

"These powerful devices have been embraced by community members and advocates calling for transparency and by police officers, who see them as a critical tool to protect and assist law enforcement with their difficult jobs. On this important day, we're also happy to announce funding for all 487 agencies that applied for body-worn camera grants."

Here’s how much other agencies in the area will be awarded:

• Asbury Park: $244,560 (120 BWC)
• Englishtown: $20,380 (10 BWC)
• Freehold Boro: $81,520 (40 BWC)
• Freehold Township: $161,002 (79 BWC)
• Hazlet Township: $114,128 (56 BWC)
• Holmdel Township: $42,798 (21 BWC)
• Howell Township: $489,120 (240 BWC)
• Keansburg: $48,912 (24 BWC)
• Keyport: $32,608 (16 BWC)
• Little Silver: $24,456 (12 BWC)
• Manalapan: $122,280 (60 BWC)
• Marlboro Township: $205,838 (101 BWC)
• Middletown: $264,940 (130 BWC)
• Neptune Township: $189,534 (93 BWC)
• Red Bank: $81,520 (40 BWC)
• Rumson: $61,140 (30 BWC)
• Shrewsbury Borough: $24,456 (12)
• Wall: $132,470 (65 BWC)

"This is a new day in policing for our state and our country and I want to thank Governor Murphy, Attorney General Grewal, and our legislators for proactively getting in front of the issue of implementing informed and effective policing practices," said Oliver, who serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. "Body cameras are about supporting police officers, so they can do their job better. And we are immensely grateful for the job they do every day to keep us safe."

With reporting by Anthony Bellano.