The West Reading Police Department received a donation of $32,000 by Customers Bank Friday morning for the purchase of body-worn cameras. The Motorola Solutions WatchGuard body cameras will be provided to each Officer of the department.
The donation was presented during a press conference at the Customers Bank Corporate Offices on Reading Avenue. Tim Roming, Marketing President for Customers Bank made the presentation to the Borough. “We are delighted to support the local police of the Borough in which our our executive offices are located. The body cameras are an important tool for increasing safety, and public confidence and trust in the work our brave police officers do.”
Borough Council President, Jack Gombach, and Borough Manager, Dean Murray, accepted the check on behalf of West Reading. Both were key supporters of the initiative and worked closely with Customers Bank. “In one of my meetings with Chief Granitz, he stressed the importance of launching a body camera program” said Gombach. “However, as the Borough navigates the complex financial impact of COVID, it was clear to me we would not be able to launch a program on our own.”
Berks County District Attorney, John T. Adams, supports the use of body cameras and encourages more Police departments across Berks County to adopt their use. “These Officers put their life on the line each day they are doing their job. It will assist them doing their job, but also to maintain the integrity they have, and to demonstrate that integrity through the body worn cameras” said Adams.
West Reading Police Chief Glenn Granitz said he was both excited and humbled to hear of the donation by Customers Bank, stating that this will advance transparency, effectiveness and reinforce a culture of improving Police services to residents.
“I have been in different facets of law enforcement and have seen the positives that come from this. It will increase our transparency and credibility within our community” said Granitz. “The Officers here at West Reading PD have been some of the voices behind ‘yes let’s do this’. This is only going to make us better, it will help us supervisors, and John Adams and the community with real evidence to make our community safer.”
The fund will be used to purchase a body camera for each West Reading Police Officer, including charging base station, extra batteries, and a server to securely store video footage. Cameras come with a magnetic chest mount and a removable battery for continued use.
