Federal grant to pay for security upgrades in Westmoreland public housing

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority said it will use a portion of a $4.5 million federal grant to upgrade security efforts in its local communities.

Money will be allocated to pay to install and upgrade security cameras throughout the authority’s public housing system as part of security enhancements that include additional policing of housing authority properties in Monessen, Trafford, Irwin, New Kensington and Arnold, Executive Director Michael Washowich said.

The authority in the past several months finalized contracts with local police departments to pay overtime to officers who make additional patrols at public housing locations in those communities. A similar proposal for additional police patrols in Jeannette was rejected by city council in December.

“This gives police a chance to walk through our buildings and gives residents a level of comfort,” Washowich said. “Security always remains a focal point for us, and we’ve made a substantial investment.”

Authority officials said they were disappointed with Jeannette’s decision to reject payment for extra police patrols at Jeannette Manor, where residents have complained about drug activity. Washowich said the city still will be responsible for standard police patrols that includes the area around the authority’s high-rise apartment building.

Police patrols are just part of the authority’s increased security efforts.

About $250,000 of the federal grant will be used to install new surveillance cameras at seven locations, said Erik Spiegel, the agency’s chief operating officer. Local police will have access to video surveillance feeds from common areas of the housing communities as part as the elevated security procedures.

Cameras have previously been installed at other locations. Officials said the goal is to eventually have them in place in every authority housing community.

Spiegel said the authority plans to use another $52,000 grant to install cameras at the 30-unit Derry Townhouses in Derry Township.

Officials said the authority also will allocate grant funds for capital improvements, modernization and renovations throughout the public housing system that includes about 2,500 units in more than 40 communities throughout the county.

Spiegel said housing authority officials will meet with community leaders this year to help formulate a list of projects that will be completed using the federal grant funds.