Stonington - The police department will soon install three surveillance cameras in downtown Pawcatuck that can be monitored and recorded in the police dispatch center.

The cameras, which will be mounted on the building that houses Bogue's Alley deli at the corner of West Broad and Coggswell streets, will provide police with a sweeping view of the downtown area. Video from the cameras will be recorded.

"This will help us look at traffic issues going on in the downtown, especially in the summer," said Capt. Todd Olson. "If someone calls to report a fight or some other downtown incident the dispatcher can look at them monitor and advise the officer about what they are heading to. So it will help with officer safety."

Chief J. Darren Stewart said the department has been working for almost two years to obtain funding and find a cost-effective camera system. He pointed out that in many areas of the country have had cameras for quite some time.

"Video is a very important tool to assist law enforcement today," he said.

The installation, which Olson said he hopes occurs before the end of the year, comes as some residents and business owners have raised concerns about downtown Pawcatuck crime and a veteran Westerly police detective has criticized the Stonington police department's drug enforcement efforts.

Olson said the department is getting cost estimates and bids for the pilot project, which the department has allocated $15,000 for in its current budget. He said that funding will pay for the installation of the cameras and the recording equipment as well as electrical work. There will be ongoing monthly charges for Internet transmission.

Olson said that with Westerly police also installing cameras in its adjacent downtown, the two departments plan to offer access to each other cameras. This is because someone involved in a Westerly incident can easily cross the state line into Stonington and vice versa.

Olson said the installation of cameras and how well they work will help the department decide if they would be appropriate for other areas of town.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas