The Peoria Police Department and Peoria Public Schools are nearing an agreement that would give the department access to exterior cameras at district facilities.
Under the proposal, District 150’s outdoor cameras would be added to the police department’s Axon Fusus camera integration platform in an effort to improve the response to any active emergencies or credible threats.
“When something serious happens near a school or in the community, Fusus allows law enforcement to see what’s happening in real time, respond faster and make better decisions without taking control of school cameras or monitoring them day to day,” Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria said during a presentation at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Echevarria emphasized the agreement only applies to external cameras and not ones inside the schools, and that officers would not be watching the cameras around the clock.
“We don’t have the staff to sit behind a computer and monitor it,” he said. “That’s not the purpose of it. We don’t do it with anybody else.”
The Fusus camera sharing system establishes a portal where businesses and residents can register their security cameras and have a device installed that sends the footage and recorded data to the police department.
“Our goal is very simple: Get the right information to the right people at the right time to protect students, staff and community,” Echevarria told the board, noting that the program will come at no cost to Peoria Public Schools.
Echevarria and Superintendent Sharon Kherat said it’s a partnership that’s been in the works for nearly two years, and some minor details are still being finalized.
“I think it’s very important to take your time,” said Echevarria. “We’re talking about a school district, we’re talking about students, we’re talking about teachers, and we’re talking about safety all in one, right? So we should be cautious and we should be careful as we move forward, and I think that’s what the district is doing.”
The board delayed approval of a memorandum of understanding between the district and police department. A vote is expected at the Feb. 23 board meeting.
