Surveillance Cameras Delayed in Brattleboro, Vt.

Aug. 24, 2005
Proposal was to use federal grant funds to install an unspecified amount of cameras in city's downtown parking lot

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -- Police have temporarily shelved a plan to install several surveillance cameras in a downtown parking lot in an effort to reduce crime.

The Police Department's proposal to install recording video cameras in Harmony Lot was to be discussed at the Aug. 16 Brattleboro Select Board meeting, but Chairman Steve Steidle said he wanted more information from the police department.

Steidle said he asked Brattleboro Police Chief John Martin to come back later with more detailed information on the proposal, including cost breakdowns. Steidle said he expected Martin to return next month with the proposal.

''I asked that it (be) taken off the agenda,'' Steidle said. ''There wasn't enough information put together on the cost and the impact on other programs. And there were some privacy concerns as well.''

Martin proposed using federal grant funds to install an unspecified amount of cameras in the downtown parking lot, a frequent site of car accidents and a popular hangout for local youth.

Drug dealing, vandalism and fights have been a problem in the enclosed parking lot for several years, Martin said. Cameras at the Brattleboro Transportation Center have been instrumental in solving several crimes, he said.

Steidle said he did not hear any negative comments about the surveillance proposal, but he expected the topic would attract some attention.

(c) 2005 Associated Press