NEW TECH – From left, Chester Police Chief Chuck Stanley and Chester Assistant Police Chief Ethan Skolrud pose next to a demo case for the Verkada security camera system that they are using successfully in the City of Chester with Advanced Security Technologies’ James Padula, director of sales and business development; and company co-owners Donald Tharp and Austin Hughes. The Chester-based security company had been testing the system with city officials, who later would go on to purchase the system Monday night after a monthlong successful trial. -- Stephanie Ujhelyi

CHESTER — The City of Chester is working to improve the safety of the community with the use of cameras installed at key intersections of the community.

For the past few weeks, city officials have been demonstrating a security camera system that has led to resolving criminal incidents within hours instead of weeks.

According to Chester Police Chief Chuck Stanley, Advanced Security Technologies has erected five Verkada outdoor security camera systems on poles as part of the operation, which already have provided key footage in a car theft at Chaney’s Service Station on Jan. 17 and hit-and-run vehicle crash on Main Street at the beginning of February.

On Jan. 17, a camera near the World’s Largest Teapot was not only able to capture footage of the vehicle theft but a direction of travel across the Jennings-Randolph bridge into East Liverpool.

The alleged perpetrator was eventually tracked to Salineville and to Jefferson County, where he was captured by sheriff’s deputies to be extradited back to West Virginia.

In the most recent incident, investigators were able to dispel a Warren, Ohio, man’s story that his vehicle was stolen while he was celebrating his birthday at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, and that it was the alleged robber who was involved in damaging two parked cars while traveling through downtown Chester.

When confronted based on footage timestamps from a camera going out of town that way, the man admitted guilt to Chester police and charges are pending.

Word is spreading about the cameras’ successful demo and other agencies are investigating acquiring the technology, which depending on the level acquired can even do facial recognition in some cases, according to AST officials.

East Liverpool and Weirton city officials have inquired about the technology, explained James Padula, director of sales and business development for AST.

During Chester Council’s meeting Monday, members approved the purchase of their last two cameras, mounts and licenses as well as the viewing stations at a cost of $5,185.50.

For Mayor Ed Wedgewood, acquisition of the technology is a no-brainer especially considering the assistance it gives first responders.

Chester spent $15,635.50 adding the additional five cameras, mounts, a viewing station and three-year equipment licenses to their existing camera system for the municipal building, explained City Clerk Tara Ayers.

Agencies and schools working together on cases also have easy access to the cloud-based system via their monitors or even cell phones if both are using the same service in their locations via cloud.

The quality of the footage image is a big part of why it works so well, officials said — especially when combined with the power of social media.

The ability to view a facial tattoo clearly proved to be key to identifying the perpetrator in the Jan. 17 car theft incident and bringing him to justice quickly.

“Our goal is to make tested and proven leading-edge technology available for the Tri-State area,” AST co-owner Donald Tharp concluded.