CALUMET CITY -- Third Ward Alderman Thaddeus Jones is asking Police Chief George Vallis to support his long-standing push for portable cameras aimed at crime prevention and catching wrong-doers on tape.

Jones initially brought the proposal to the City Council in mid-2002.

"Since that time, there have been several smaller communities that have purchased and, in most cases, installed these mobile cameras," Jones wrote in a letter to Vallis dated Jan. 6. "...It is my hope that this item will be placed at the forefront of your administration's agenda in the coming months."

Jones reintroduced the proposal in October, saying he planned to investigate grant funding options for the project.

In his letter to Vallis, Jones asked him to research cost factors and the time needed for installation.

"As you may be aware, the summer months are the time when crime will likely increase and I would like to see these cameras installed before June of 2004," Jones said.

Vallis was not available for comment Friday due to the city's observance of the President's Day holiday.

The proposed project is similar to one launched in Chicago in June. The move involved mounting video cameras on utility poles in an effort to combat drug dealing and gang violence. Officials there believe those problems have a direct correlation to the city's high murder rate.

In Chicago, the video footage capturing crimes is used for investigations, while other footage is erased within three days. The cameras are constantly recording, but are not constantly monitored.

The cameras are equipped with night vision and encased in a bulletproof box with bright blue flashing lights. They can rotate 360 degrees and zoom close enough to view license plate numbers.

Each Chicago system costs about $23,000.

Lauri Harvey can be reached at lharvey@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4169.