PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles police will get a much better look at the waterfront next year — without actually having to be there.

With the help of a $310,062 Federal Emergency Management Agency port security grant, the city will replace its existing 18 cameras along the waterfront from downtown to Francis Street Park and add 10 west to the Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal No. 3.

The city’s share of the cost is $103,000.

The cameras are expected to be installed next year, but no date has been set.

Police Chief Terry Gallagher said the existing cameras are in a “sad state of repair” and can’t always be relied on to help police solve crimes.

He noted that a camera was facing a mural on City Pier that was defaced in 2007, but the video was worthless.

“If cameras are of poor quality, there is no usable information,” Gallagher said.

Police to have access

Police will have access to the cameras at the Police Department.

Officers will also be able to access them from their patrol cars with the use of a citywide wireless Internet program that is expected to begin to be installed next year.

Gallagher said video will be stored for 24 hours.

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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.