SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield School Committee has approved a five-year agreement regarding cameras in their schools. This means the Springfield Police Department will continue to have access to live footage during emergencies. According to the committee and local officials, the agreement will put students and staff's safety first, making sure their safety is never questioned when it comes to their education. City of Springfield recognizes Irish community on St. Patrick’s Day with flag raising "This is something I was steadfast for to make sure students teachers, administrators and staff are protected," said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. Prioritizing safety and education, the Springfield School Committee and police department are ensuring classrooms will remain a safe space in their city. In a six to one vote, the school committee extended an agreement with the local police department to allow access to live footage inside schools during emergencies. "God forbid that our police department is able to target and go specifically to that area and quell any type of issue, and more importantly, to hinder any injury and save lives," Sarno said. The agreement only allows staff from the Real-Time Analysis Unit within the police department to access the live feed from the cameras. The vote came down last week to approve the new contract following six months of research and in-depth conversations with police, families and students. The school committee began their agreement with the Springfield Police department back in  2021. Since then, the cameras have been turned on eight times. Seven of those calls were for false reports, and the eighth involved a shooting inside the High School of Science and Technology. Mayor Sarno and the school committee hopes that by making this decision, families and students will feel protected and that their safety in the classroom is prioritized. Local News Headlines Herrell’s Ice Cream announces winners of “What’s Your Flavor Idea?” contest Suspect arrested connected to counterfeit bills in Pittsfield Bars and restaurants see St. Patrick’s Day boom Springfield School Committee extends agreement for in-school cameras WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less