"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #944, August 23, 2021
Issue #944, August 23, 2021
Gary Neiss reported vandalism in the Carefree Desert Gardens has cost approximately $20,000 over the past several years. After hours damage, when visibility is limited, has been caused by kids climbing on the sundial and skating down it as well as using the seat walls as obstacle courses for bikes and skateboards, scratching off the paint and stucco. Furniture and landscape lights have been stolen. Bathroom fixtures have been damaged and plants have been desecrated.
Town staff and the janitorial service are not around after hours. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has stepped up patrols, but they can't be in the Gardens 100% of the time, as they must patrol other areas. Technology can be used to monitor the Gardens 100% of the time, reducing these occurrences. High resolution, night vision, facial recognition, tracking, push notification to alert MCSO, and WiFi are now available. Security cameras are commonly used in both pubic spaces and in home security systems to mitigate risk, catch bad actors, and effectively assist in prosecution.
The Town evaluated different systems. The system must include all of the above criteria, as well as the ability to withstand the desert extremes, manage expansive spaces, and be Cloud based to eliminate the possibility of hard drive failures. Verdaka Technology is used throughout the U.S. and met all the criteria. The associated local supplier is part of the Mohave County purchase cooperative that gives Carefree the lowest procured public prices.
Cameras would be placed in 7 activity zones around the Gardens. The locations would provide coverage for the areas by the sundial and fireplace, the splash pad and ponds, external to the rest rooms, the amphitheater, the western fireplace, the south side entrance by the bridge, and the playground. This can be augmented in the future if a need for further security is found.
The cost of $19,440 includes all the equipment, a 5 year lease agreement, a 10 year warranty on all hardware, installation including electrical extensions, 4 new Corten steel poles. 3 existing poles would be used.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that this would also help with personal safety, but added that it would not necessarily be a deterrent without posting signs that the area is monitored. Mr. Neiss agreed and said signs would be added.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio felt this would help to provide safety for vulnerable people walking their dogs at night, preventing people on bikes from speeding through the Gardens. He wondered if the camera by the sundial could be used as a tourist attraction, where people could get online and see the sundial. Mr. Neiss replied that it is not good to mix public availability vs. creating security. That would have to be a different system.
Authorization of $20,000 of Capital Funds to purchase and install the Gardens security cameras to help mitigate ongoing vandalism passed unanimously.
https://vimeo.com/583625102
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Town staff and the janitorial service are not around after hours. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has stepped up patrols, but they can't be in the Gardens 100% of the time, as they must patrol other areas. Technology can be used to monitor the Gardens 100% of the time, reducing these occurrences. High resolution, night vision, facial recognition, tracking, push notification to alert MCSO, and WiFi are now available. Security cameras are commonly used in both pubic spaces and in home security systems to mitigate risk, catch bad actors, and effectively assist in prosecution.
The Town evaluated different systems. The system must include all of the above criteria, as well as the ability to withstand the desert extremes, manage expansive spaces, and be Cloud based to eliminate the possibility of hard drive failures. Verdaka Technology is used throughout the U.S. and met all the criteria. The associated local supplier is part of the Mohave County purchase cooperative that gives Carefree the lowest procured public prices.
Cameras would be placed in 7 activity zones around the Gardens. The locations would provide coverage for the areas by the sundial and fireplace, the splash pad and ponds, external to the rest rooms, the amphitheater, the western fireplace, the south side entrance by the bridge, and the playground. This can be augmented in the future if a need for further security is found.
The cost of $19,440 includes all the equipment, a 5 year lease agreement, a 10 year warranty on all hardware, installation including electrical extensions, 4 new Corten steel poles. 3 existing poles would be used.
Vice Mayor John Crane noted that this would also help with personal safety, but added that it would not necessarily be a deterrent without posting signs that the area is monitored. Mr. Neiss agreed and said signs would be added.
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio felt this would help to provide safety for vulnerable people walking their dogs at night, preventing people on bikes from speeding through the Gardens. He wondered if the camera by the sundial could be used as a tourist attraction, where people could get online and see the sundial. Mr. Neiss replied that it is not good to mix public availability vs. creating security. That would have to be a different system.
Authorization of $20,000 of Capital Funds to purchase and install the Gardens security cameras to help mitigate ongoing vandalism passed unanimously.
https://vimeo.com/583625102
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.