Detroit traffic cams will be linked with Project Green Light network

DETROIT (FOX 2) - A safer Detroit, one camera at a time.

Mayor Mike Duggan unveiled a plan at his 2019 State of the City Address to link traffic cameras with the Project Green Light system, giving Detroit police more eyes in the sky.

"Starting this year, all the way across the city, Greenfield and east Seven Mile, we are going to hook the DPW cameras to the Green Light cameras," he said.

And by the end of 2020, Duggan says the city will have a network of 1,000 cameras.

"We don't have the resources to track everybody," Duggan said. "We have the resources to track the shooters and the cameras are pretty good."

Detroiters we talked with are giving the plan the thumbs up.

"Especially with a lot of the hit-and-runs that we see and when people are getting carjacked and getting robbed," said Nicholas Haller, manager of Papa's Pizza. "I had a guy pull out of here, get into an accident and the lady took off. We couldn't track them, we couldn't see them on our cameras. I think it is a great idea."

At the very least the cameras can help police track shooters and carjackers after a crime. At best, they may deter crime.

"As we work towards cameras and they realize they are being recorded, it probably will help over time," said Lucius Gunn, University District Community Association.

FOX 2 has spoken with some Detroit police officers about the plan and they say it will help clear cases and could help make people think twice about breaking the law.

In the meantime, Duggan will ask city council for $10 million so DPD can hire 70 new police officers.