Security upgrades coming to Westmoreland government buildings

Security at Westmoreland County government facilities will be tightened as part of a $2.4 million project approved Thursday.

Commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Dagostino Electronic Services of Homestead to install new systems that consolidate cameras and other security features at the courthouse complex in Greensburg, Westmoreland Manor, the county jail, juvenile detention center and forensic facility in Hempfield, along with the public safety building and public works garage on Donahoe Road.

The new system will integrate and upgrade more than 2,000 digital security cameras at various county buildings and consolidate software to link each video feed into the same computer servers so they be accessed in multiple locations. The upgrades also call for installation of new door locks and security card readers, among other security equipment.

The project has been planned since 2019 and is not a response to recent riots or threats of unrest.

“It’s been on the books for a couple of years,” said Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

Security measures at county buildings currently operate on separate systems, with many using old analog technology.

“Our card swipe system, the cameras and other systems are old enough where we can’t get parts for them. They’re obsolete,” said County Park Police Chief Henry Fontana. “It’s a needed upgrade and long overdo.”

Officials said the upgraded system will enable video recordings to be retained for at least six months, longer than the 15 to 30 days that can be stored now.

The upgrades are expected to be completed by summer 2022.

Fontana said, even with the outdated security systems now in place, he’s confident the county can handle any threats against government property.

“We’ve been on high alert for a year now,” Fontana said, noting numerous political and social justice rallies held in Greensburg and around the courthouse complex over the last year.