Officials Friday unveiled a new plan that will help them investigate shootings and drug trafficking taking place along the Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago.
Officials from the DEA, Chicago OEMC, Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Department, and Chicago Police Department came together on Friday to announce 20 high-definition cameras that are being installed along the roadway.
“These cameras will be used as an investigative tool, and possibly more importantly, as a deterrent,” Nicholas Roti of the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area taskforce said.
The aim of the cameras will be to monitor a lengthy stretch of the Eisenhower, as well as exit and entrance ramps, and will help authorities hone in on vehicles involved in shootings. The cameras will also monitor cars that it says are “arriving in the area to purchase illegal drugs, including heroin laced with fentanyl.”
The high-definition cameras will be paired with license plate recognition systems.
The latest deployment of cameras, funded by the federal government, cost approximately $500,000.
The OEMC will monitor feeds from the new cameras, and will coordinate with all involved law enforcement partners when access is needed to footage.
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“Our staff has trained authorized personnel from the Chicago police, ISP, HIDA, and DEA on how to use the system in the course of their investigations,” OEMC Executive Director Rich Guidice said.
The current crop of cameras has been in place for approximately two weeks, and officials say they hope they can add even more in future phases of the project.
Even with the high-tech advantages of using the system, agencies are still asking for help from the public in combating the drug epidemic and in fighting gun violence.
“Every tip we receive leads us closer to solving violent crimes and removing dangerous criminals from our roadways and communities,” ISP Major Robert Meeder said.
