Cuyahoga Falls to Vote on City Surveillance Cameras

Oct. 24, 2005

Cuyahoga Falls City Council is expected to vote today whether to install security cameras in the city's downtown festival area to combat vandals.

If the plan is approved, 16 cameras will continuously monitor portions of the Falls River Square District off Broad Boulevard.

Recordings from the cameras will be kept for three weeks so that dispatchers, police captains and others handling mall-area events can view them as needed.

Battling graffiti became a priority for the Falls' special operations unit in July 2004 after police began to see an increase in vandalism downtown, said unit leader Lt. Dale Gramley of the Falls Police Department.

``It rears its ugly head pretty quick -- whenever school lets out,'' he said.

Unbudgeted money from the city'scapital projects fund would be used to buy the $80,000 security system, which would monitor riverfront areas including the Towne Center parking deck.

At-large Councilman Tim Gorbach said he expects the measure to pass unanimously.

``We need to do this for the residents,'' he said. ``If we could spend this money to act as a deterrent or assure the safety of the residents, I think that's money well spent.''

If the proposal passes today, cameras will be installed within a month, Gorbach said.

Plainclothes police officers and extra patrols have helped reduce the amount of graffiti and other mischief in the Falls River Square District, Gramley said. So far this year, police have arrested 37 people in the area.

But police fear more problems are possible because large groups of juveniles and young adults still congregate in hidden spots under the Portage Trail bridge, along the river and near sound walls before Graham Road on state Route 8.

Cameras will allow the department's three school resource officers to identify vandals, who also have been known to break lights, tip over trash cans and smear feces in the parking deck elevators and pavilion.

``As expensive as it is, if you figure out what a police officer makes per week, I think it'll be beneficial, especially as a big deterrent,'' Gramley said.

Mayor Don L. Robart called graffiti a taxpayer expense that ``rips at the pride of the community.''

``And the key is, we're not going back to bed on this thing,'' Robart said.

In fact, even more security cameras could be appearing throughout the downtown Falls River Square District in the near future. Early next year, the City Council is expected to consider plans to install additional cameras in the area's South Parking Deck, North Parking Deck and north mall area at a total cost of $59,090.

The city also is offering a$250 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of graffiti violators. The Police Department asks that anyone who wants to report vandalism in the Falls call 330-971-5669.

Akron Beacon Journal

Knight Ridder content Copyright 2005 provided via The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.