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The group's three-pronged approach also includes mobilizing neighbors and using strategic design elements, like lighting and plantings, to improve safety.
The coalition grew out of 2001-2003 reports from the Lancaster Crime Commission. The Lancaster Alliance, a group of business leaders, took the lead role in its organization and funding.
How surveillance camera program has grown
The coalition's nonprofit status opens up more funding sources, such as private foundation grants, Lancaster Alliance president Jack Howell says.
The camera project's funding ranges from six-figure government grants to $25 checks from residents.
Major 2006-2008 contributors included the Lancaster Police Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to raising and distributing funds to improve the city police department, which gave $544,000.
The City of Lancaster, County of Lancaster and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contributed a total of nearly $450,000.
Lancaster Newspapers Inc., publisher of the Sunday News and Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era, gave $222,433. Two related private foundations gave a combined $100,000.
In 2009, Lancaster Newspapers provided the coalition with an interest-free line of credit of up to $2 million, a bridge loan for operations until the coalition received pledges from other organizations.
In the future, says coalition executive director Joseph R. Morales Sr., residents and community groups essentially will vote on the cameras' value with their wallets.
"If the community chooses not to fund it, it won't continue."
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: What Lancaster's street security cameras show
