The Clarion Borough Police Department is seeking a grant to fund security and safety improvements along Main Street, which include camera surveillance between Fourth and Eighth avenues in the proposed project.
Clarion Borough Council recently gave its approval to police Chief William H. Peck IV to apply for the grant through the state’s $135 million Local Law Enforcement Support Program.
Council’s vote, however, was not unanimous, as Ben Aaron voted against the measure and Zach Garbarino was absent.
Aaron said he also has concerns about who will have access to the cameras and recordings.
“It’s not an issue with our police department as it is now, but once those cameras are up, there they are,” he said. “What will the procedure be (for an outside agency) to get access to the cameras or recordings?”
During the council meeting, council President Carol Lapinto said business owners along Main Street had a positive reaction to the camera proposal, which also includes a plan to install a wireless public address system along the street.
Lapinto said Peck pointed out there is no effective way to evacuate large crowds of people who attend events such as the Autumn Leaf Festival’s main parade and Crafters Day activities.
A public address system would, Peck believes, help provide direction should an evacuation be needed.
“I know several members of council have questions about the cameras. The merchants were very excited. Unfortunately, in today’s world, it’s necessary,” Lapinto said.
Council member Rachel Roberts countered, “What are the concerns for having security cameras for our downtown businesses?”
Roberts said many municipalities and cities have cameras throughout their jurisdictions that feed “real time” information to police and other agencies.
“And, when those went up, the minority was in the opposition to those,” Aaron said. “I mean, that’s why we vote on things. You’re not going to change my mind.”
Aaron told the Clarion News that he might have supported the grant application if the borough had instead served as a “pass-through agency” if the money could be tapped by private businesses to buy the cameras.
Borough police Officer Justin O’Neil, representing Peck at the meeting, said the cameras would provide police the same view as anyone else walking along the street.
Mayor Jennifer Fulmer Vinson, whose duties include oversight of the police department, said the cameras should not cause any privacy concerns, because “The cameras won’t be peeking into anybody’s windows.”
O’Neil stressed the cameras, sound system, officer body cams and other equipment to be purchased with the grant, if awarded, are aimed at improving public safety and increasing solvability of crimes.
“Our project was that a PA system for downtown would be nice. We worked that part in with cameras for downtown with a PA system,” he said. “If something were to happen downtown during ALF or a big event, we would have a way to communicate with all the residents.”
Vinson noted the downtown merchants would welcome the public address system as it could be used to pump music into the shopping area, especially during the Christmas season.
In other business, council accepted the resignation of Jessica Schwabenbauer as the administrative and Stormwater Authority assistant, effective Sept. 23, and to advertise for candidates to fill the position.
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