MORGAN CITY, La (KLFY) — New crime cameras are being installed across Morgan City, and police say the technology is helping them solve cases faster than ever. The cameras come from Project NOLA, a nonprofit organization leading an effort to keep communities safer.

The system relies on community sponsorships, with local businesses and residents paying a small fee to host a camera. Bryan Lagarde, director of Project NOLA, called it “the most successful crime camera program in the country.” He added, “It helps law enforcement solve violent crimes quickly—without relying on public tax dollars.”

Captain John Schaff explained how the cameras work:

“It’s set to a certain frequency. If a gunshot goes off, the camera will pan and zoom in to the area where the sound came from, which gives us a lead. Whenever we’re doing an investigation, we’re able to track and solve these crimes,” said Schaff.

Schaff says the cameras have already helped track vehicles and people in recent shooting investigations, and more neighborhoods are now asking for them.

“We’re working on one camera around Lawrence Park right now that was sponsored by some residents. We had some people sponsor cameras in the Lakeside area. So, of course, the cameras went up in those areas,” he said.

The police stressed that the cameras do not use facial recognition technology in Morgan City.

“We actually use them to give people peace of mind to know that they live in a safe neighborhood and that the police response is going to be quick and good,” Schaff said.

Officials say the camera program is just the beginning. With more technology and community partnerships on the way, they hope to make Morgan City even safer in the future.

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