BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Several high-profile local and national police shootings are increasing the public outcry that body cameras should be standard issue for officers. Those cameras are already being used in some parts of our area.
The Brunswick Police Department already has a few cameras in use and is trying to get about 50 body cameras by the end of the year, which adds up to thousands of dollars.
"It's a win-win situation. It helps to keep not only the police officers safe but it also helps keep our community safe," said BPD Public Information Officer Todd Rhodes.
But right now, Rhodes said officers only have a few cameras in rotation to test out and getting more will cost the department thousands of dollars.
"We're waiting to hear back from a grant we have applied for that will assist us in equipping us with about 40-50 body cameras," Rhodes said.
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"I'm looking at probably about 200-plus cameras," said Glynn County Sheriff Neal Jump, of the Glynn County Sheriff's Office.
That's the amount Jump said he wants for his department, but said that many cameras come with a big price tag.
"Money speaks volume(s) and you can't buy that many cameras at one time, so I'm going to stagger mine in," Jump said.
Jump said cameras will be able to record an officer's every move when it's time to make an arrest. Images recorded will provide any and every detail of the situation.
"There's always two sides to every story and the camera tells the truth," Jump said.
"I think they are a good idea. As long as they use them in court whenever they need them," said Korey Sellers, of Brunswick.
We reached out to Rep. Corrine Brown about the Police Camera Act. She sent us this statement:
"These devices not only provide a sense of relief and assurance to the general public, but deliver an unbiased account of what takes place during an encounter between the officer and the public."
The Glynn County Police Department has been using body cameras for six months.
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