A joint meeting of the Stevensville Town Council and the town’s Park Board has been set for Thursday, November 29 at Town Hall to discuss and possibly agree to implement the installation of a 10-camera security system at Lewis and Clark Park.
Last September, local business owner Cathi Cook offered to donate up to $5,000 for installation of a security camera system at the park if the town would agree to its installation by the end of the year. Since that time Cook has worked with Moore Technologies to put together a plan and quote for 10 cameras. The cost of the entire installation is $8,300.
In the meantime, Town Council members at a recent workshop agreed to utilize a problem-solving model for its decision making process. In order to do that town staff determined that more specific information about the proposed camera system was required. Although Jay Moore, owner of Moore Technologies, indicated to the staff that the information would be provided, it was not made available in time for their report.
According to the staff report, the questions that should be answered about the system include: specifications, lighting, video storage capacity, video quality, black/white vs. color, resolution, wired vs. wireless, weather resistance (heat, humidity, cold sensors), motion activated, Wi-Fi capabilities, service fees, cost of maintenance, cost of repair and replacement, details of poles and heights, color, mounting of cameras, visibility of cameras, etc. Other considerations include the personnel costs and expectations.
The staff notes that other solutions should also be considered such as modifying park hours and ensuring that the gate is closed; possible installation of a new security gate that slides; installation of additional exterior lighting; instituting a Community Crime Watch program; use of graffiti repelling paint; a combined citizen/officer patrol program; and better signage.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 29 at the town hall.
Dan Loeffler says
Stevi should consider running the below by Mr. West as to what exactly the “compelling … interest” is for “security” cameras at the park, the place where I donated three days of my time and tools to help build Bear Mountain.
Is the park not secure? Are citizens subject to unwanted or dangerous crime such as injury, rape, or incest? Perhaps cameras at the homes and on the motorcycles of former Stevi police would have been more beneficial to society.
Montana Code Annotated 2017
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
ARTICLE II. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Part II. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Right To Know
Section 9. Right to know. No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.
Right Of Privacy
Section 10. Right of privacy. The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest.