TROY – The city is seeking a company to install a new network of 120 police surveillance cameras to replace the existing nearly decade-old network in three neighborhoods that often fails to operate, costing the police force information for solving crimes.

The police cameras are placed at crucial intersections in Downtown, North Central and Lansingburgh through which traffic funnels. The surveillance equipment is supposed to give the cops an edge in crime fighting, but that depends on it working.

“Surveillance cameras are one of many tools available to law enforcement that can provide valuable information for detectives during investigations. Replacement of older technology is a routine, but important, part of the department’s continued modernization,” Chief Brian Owens said.

The importance of having video images has been seen in the current quadruple murder case in Rensselaer County Court where a city surveillance camera caught images in December 2017 of the two suspects, James White and Justin Mann, in the crime. White is on trial for nine counts of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder for his alleged role in fatally stabbing Brandi Mells, 22; Shanta Myers, 36; and Myers' two children: Jeremiah Myers, 11, and Shanise Myers, 5, in their basement apartment at 158 Second Ave. in the Lansingburgh neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2017. Mann took a plea deal admitting his role in killing the two women and two children.

A non-functioning camera drew attention a year ago when it failed to record a stabbing on Congress Street near Second and Third streets drawing recriminations from the city’s largest police union.

Police officers support getting a new system in place.

“The officers are glad they will once again have an effective tool to investigate crimes that affect the residents of Troy,” said Officer Nick Laviano, president of the Troy Police Benevolent, which represents the city’s patrol officers, sergeants and detectives.

The costs of installing the new “city surveillance video system” won’t be determined until the bid is awarded, said John Salka, a spokesman for Mayor Patrick Madden. The bids are due April 2 at City Hall.

The city provided maps to show 23 intersections where the surveillance camera system is deployed. These include 13 intersections in Downtown, seven in North Central and three in Lansinburgh. The cameras are deployed to record traffic headed toward the Route 7 interchange, the Waterford-Troy Bridge, the 112th Street Bridge to Cohoes, the Green Island Bridge, access to Hoosick Street and access to the Congress Street Bridge. Often police find suspects rushing to get out of town.

“Upgrades to the police department’s street camera network is part of the City’s ongoing investments in public safety,” Madden said, “…we can take advantage of new technology to create a system that will meet current and future needs of the Troy Police Department.”

The purchase and installation of the cameras with the network and computers to run them effectively is supported by the City Council’s Republicans and Democrats.

“This is critical. Let’s get the cameras working 100 percent all the time,” said City Council President Carmella Mantello, a Republican.

“We need it desperately,” said Democratic Councilwoman Eileen McDermott, who chairs the council’s Public Safety Committee.

Mantello and McDermott said the surveillance videos capture evidence that can prove essential to solving crimes on city streets.