Allegheny County will receive $750,000 to enhance a surveillance camera system that will be used to track criminals and in emergencies like fires, floods, or potential cases of bioterrorism.

U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter announced the grant at a news conference at the Allegheny county courthouse.

The county will be able to purchase an additional 40 mobile cameras to compliment the existing 64 stationary cameras, which include gas and chemical detectors, already in the greater Pittsburgh area, said Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Bob Full.

The federal funding, which was the county's highest priority request from the Justice Department, will enable the county to expand its camera surveillance network, known as the ThreatViewer Emergency Management Visualization System.

ThreatViewer features a map-based interface software program that enables data to be analyzed and used from video surveillance cameras, environmental threat sensors and communications systems.

Mr. Specter said the funds, which are designated in the Senate's Appropriations Committee bill, will most likely released sometime in the fall when that bill is approved by Congress.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.