As safety concerns grow for local businesses in Philadelphia, the Department of Commerce continues to urge business owners to enhance their security through the Business Security Camera Program, an initiative that aids in the purchase and installation of exterior surveillance cameras. According to the city's recent release, the program provides financial incentives, covering up to 75% of the costs for citywide businesses, with a cap of $3,000 per property, and offers up to 100% funding for those situated in designated targeted commercial corridors.
The story of Rick Kennedy, owner of Odd One LLC, is featured as part of an ongoing series highlighting the effectiveness of the program. Kennedy's contracting and security camera specialist business has experienced the program's benefits firsthand since its launch. "I enjoy my business because I help a lot of people, and I love helping them. I am grateful for the monetary rewards with it too, but that is the most gratifying thing for me to do is setting up the concept plans and bringing it to a finish," Kennedy told the City of Philadelphia. His collaboration with the initiative since early 2019 exemplifies the long-term commitment the city hopes for from local business owners.
The program’s support extends beyond security enhancements, offering benefits such as potential reductions in insurance premiums and creating a more appealing environment for customers, which may contribute to economic growth. Kennedy’s experience illustrates the role of local government support in assisting small businesses. He mentioned that during the installation in Kensington, a fully waived area at the time, the cameras helped businesses address incidents like robberies through collaboration with the Philadelphia Police Department.
The program is further supported by the SafeCam initiative, which encourages participating businesses to register their cameras with the Philadelphia Police Department. This allows law enforcement to assist in crime investigations without gaining direct access to the camera footage. Business owners looking to upgrade their security can contact the Mayor’s Business Action Team (MBAT) for personalized, multi-lingual support via email at [email protected] or by calling 215-683-2100.
