As Auburn's downtown completes its makeover, more than city residents may be watching.
One component not yet discussed is installing video cameras. The Auburn City Council will discuss placing one or two cameras in the Exchange Street mall during its meeting this week.
Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta said he has received varied feedback, from “Big Brother” is watching to 'It's not a bad idea,'“ he said. However, this week's council meeting will be the first public discussion on the proposal.
City officials have talked about this concept as the downtown improvement project has neared competition, Giannotta said. They've thrown out the idea of purchasing cameras for about four or five weeks, as crews put the finishing touches on Genesee Street and the pedestrian mall, such as trees, benches, and planters.
The city spent $1.3 million for the improvement of downtown, and some see this step as a way to protect its investment, Giannotta said. Exchange Street Mall was a target area for the undertaking.
Workers have transformed the former concert alley into a pedestrian friendly park, with seating and plants. However, it council approves, they could explore adding more.
“It's definitely something we can build on in the future,” Giannotta said.
He hadn't received the figures for the cameras but expects to have them by Thursday's meeting.
They could tie the video intake to the current system at city hall. The monitors would likely go to the police station because it operates 24 hours a day and could offer immediate response.
Meanwhile, vandalism has affected the city-owned Pomeroy Park, which is the site of an ongoing construction of a veterans memorial park. Vandals defamed the marble cross, destroyed lights and pulled a conduit off a wall.
Also last week, the Auburn Police Department arrested James A. Weisbrod for using a chain saw to cut city-owned trees on the corner of Franklin and Perry streets in order to eventually kill them.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
If You Go
What: Auburn City Council meeting
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: 24 South St. in Auburn
Who: Anyone is welcome to attend, but public comment is not allowed.
Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta said he has received varied feedback, from “Big Brother” is watching to 'It's not a bad idea,'“ he said. However, this week's council meeting will be the first public discussion on the proposal.
City officials have talked about this concept as the downtown improvement project has neared competition, Giannotta said. They've thrown out the idea of purchasing cameras for about four or five weeks, as crews put the finishing touches on Genesee Street and the pedestrian mall, such as trees, benches, and planters.
The city spent $1.3 million for the improvement of downtown, and some see this step as a way to protect its investment, Giannotta said. Exchange Street Mall was a target area for the undertaking.
Workers have transformed the former concert alley into a pedestrian friendly park, with seating and plants. However, it council approves, they could explore adding more.
“It's definitely something we can build on in the future,” Giannotta said.
He hadn't received the figures for the cameras but expects to have them by Thursday's meeting.
They could tie the video intake to the current system at city hall. The monitors would likely go to the police station because it operates 24 hours a day and could offer immediate response.
Meanwhile, vandalism has affected the city-owned Pomeroy Park, which is the site of an ongoing construction of a veterans memorial park. Vandals defamed the marble cross, destroyed lights and pulled a conduit off a wall.
Also last week, the Auburn Police Department arrested James A. Weisbrod for using a chain saw to cut city-owned trees on the corner of Franklin and Perry streets in order to eventually kill them.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
If You Go
What: Auburn City Council meeting
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: 24 South St. in Auburn
Who: Anyone is welcome to attend, but public comment is not allowed.
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