Mayor, Comcast, announce Project Green Light more affordable, enrollment soaring as a result

Since it was introduced in January, Project Green Light – a revolutionary program that provides greater safety at Detroit businesses – has been an unqualified success.  Business owners rave about the positive impact the program has had on their business and crime is down 50 percent at locations that have been on board since the beginning.

The only thing slowing down Project Green Light has been the ability for many small businesses to afford the upfront costs.

Today, officials from the City and Comcast Business announced a simple and uniform new plan that makes joining Project Green Light much more affordable to the city’s small businesses.  Rather than having to pay upwards of $6,000 for purchasing and installing high-resolution cameras and other required equipment, eligible businesses can now join the program for $1,000 for camera installation and as little as $140 additional per monthfor cloud storage and leasing the camera equipment (based on existing Internet service provider and plan).The cloud storage provides 30 days’ worth of video so it will be easily and immediately retrievable by the storeowner or Detroit Police, if needed.

Today, Project Green Light has 42 businesses online, up from the original 8 when the program launched in January. Since Comcast Business began offering the program, 50 businesses have expressed interest in joining the program.

“Project Green Light has been a game-changer in how we provide security at our small businesses in Detroit.  This new deal from Comcast Business is going to be a game changer for participation in the program,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We have removed the one obstacle that has kept Project Green Light from exploding in participation across the city.”

For Comcast Business, creating this solution is a show of the company’s commitment to playing a major role in the City of Detroit’s revitalization.

“We are uniquely positioned to support Project Green Light,” said Tim Collins, senior vice president of Comcast in Michigan. “Since entering the Detroit market 22 years ago, we’ve invested millions of dollars every year in our network and today we provide a reliable Internet connection to thousands of businesses in Detroit. We can make it easy for local businesses to participate in this important program by serving as a one-stop shop for the sale, installation and support of Project Green Light cameras and Internet connection.”

Basic Installation of one indoor and three exterior cameras

Additional camera installation is $199.95 per camera.

$139.75 for four-camera rental and 30-day cloud storage

All prices are based on a three-year agreement and do not include applicable taxes, surcharges and other fees. Comcast Business Deluxe 50 Internet service is required with the $139.75 base package. The monthly charge for Deluxe 50 Internet service is $89.95 per month.

Project Green Light launched in January with 8 gas stations sprinkled across the city.  Since then, 34 more businesses, including restaurants, party stores and others, have joined bringing the total to 42.  Those that have been in the program the longest have experienced a 50% reduction in violent crime at their establishments, thanks to the visible signage and watchful eyes of Detroit Police officers.  A full time staff at the Detroit Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center monitors video from the businesses around the clock.

“Businesses really have a great incentive to join Project Green Light because of this technology,” Chief James Craig said. “Thanks to this virtual patrol, we are able to gather intelligence and conduct a much more proactive form of policing.  That’s why we are seeing incidents of crime going down so significantly at Project Green Light Businesses.”

To see the locations of all Project Green Light businesses and to learn more about the new Comcast Business program, visit www.greenlightdetroit.org.