The City of Mount Vernon launched the first part of its Public Safety Camera Program on Tuesday.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced the launch of the program at a press conference that was held at City Hall.

"This is a four-part Public Safety Camera Program and today we are launching the Residential Camera Initiative," Patterson-Howard said.

Patterson-Howard said the Residential Camera Initiative will provide 400 free security cameras to Mount Vernon residents.

"The initiative aims to do the following: enhance neighborhood safety, deter crime before it happens, strengthen community engagement," Patterson-Howard said.

Those familiar with the program said it is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. They detailed how residents can acquire a camera.

"The application goes live today on Mount Vernon's website...The residents will be asked to provide basic demographic information," Tajean Turner, the director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, said.

Deputy Police Chief Greg Addison said the applicants also have to acknowledge a Memorandum of Understanding.

"We ask that it's a two-year agreement between the City of Mount Vernon and the owner allowing us upon request to access the video that's recovered," Addison said.

They said they also want any recovered video to not be distributed outside of the police department for at least seven days.

Residents in the area that News 12 spoke with said they're in favor of it all.

"If something happens, it's on tape," said resident Donald Winter.

"I have no problem sharing any video footage with the police and I want to be a part of making things better," said resident Mary Kingsley.

Officials said the next phases of the public safety camera program should be released soon.