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Read the press release here.

Police Body Cameras Welcomed in the Bronx

By Eddie Small | September 8, 2014 7:38am
 The 40th Precinct is one of the areas where officers will be equipped with body cameras.
The 40th Precinct is one of the areas where officers will be equipped with body cameras.
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DNAinfo/Eddie Small

MOTT HAVEN — Police body cameras are coming to the 40th Precinct and local officials say they are glad to see them arrive.

The court-ordered program will launch over the next few months in precincts chosen based on the amount of stop-and-frisk incidents — including the 40th, the 75th in East New York and the 23rd in East Harlem.

Precincts will get six cameras each and a total of 60 officers will test-run the technology on a volunteer basis. The two types of cameras will be the Vievu LE3 and the Taser AXON Flex, which attach to the chest and glasses, respectively.

A high-ranking police official said that officers in the 40th Precinct were dedicated to using new technology to help keep their residents safe.

"It also will help create a stronger bond between the police officers and the community," he said.

Cedric Loftin, district manager of Bronx Community Board 1, said he was enthusiastic about the cameras as he believed they would increase transparency and help build trust between the police and the neighborhood.

“I think it’s going to create a greater understanding between the police and the community because people will be able to see things as they unfold,” he said.

“Hopefully nothing does unfold, but if it does, there will be a full visual of it, so that’s welcome.”