Clarion County adds cameras at county facilities

The new cameras include three at the county administration building and one at the Human Services building. The total cost of those cameras is $2,292.22.

“These cameras can record accidents, people falling or just about anything,” commissioner Ted Tharan said. “We are often asked by the police if we have surveillance tapes when something happens. I would like to install more of them,” Tharan added.

Additional security will also be added to the courthouse as a door buzzer and enunciator system was purchased for the rear entry at a cost of $1,291.74

Tharan said the cost of the purchases is covered by grants.

In other business at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, Teresa Holden, director of the county’s Children and Youth Services agency, reported on a recent state audit. She said the auditors commended the Clarion caseworkers for their documentation even though the staff has been operating with only 50 percent of its caseworkers.

Holden said CYS has handled more than 600 cases this year.

“We have seen an increase in patients from kindergarten to grade two,” she said. “We are not finding beds in hospitals. Often we have to have a caseworker sit by the patient’s bed for two or three days until a bed can be found. We often have to send a patient to Ohio for treatment,” she added.

The commissioners did receive some good news at the meeting.

A review of the deed for the former county home near Sligo discovered 11 acres adjacent to the old cemetery that actually belonged to the county.

“It was supposed to be transferred to Clarview when the county home closed, but for some reason that was never done,” said Tharan.

The next commissioners meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9, instead of the usual second Tuesday because the general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8.