Security Cameras Could Be Coming to Borough Parks

Hellertown's public parks and playgrounds will be safer if security cameras are installed in or near them, officials seem to think.

At Borough Council's June 4 meeting, the idea for video surveillance in parks was introduced by Police Chief Robert Shupp, who recommended that council consider making the borough's next casino grant application an application for a $50,000 camera system that would be set up in , , (Third Avenue Park) and .

Shupp said incidents ranging in nature from vandalism to sexual assault have occurred in Hellertown's parks in recent years.

Park bathrooms have been set on fire, public property has been defaced with graffiti, bikes are being ridden across park benches, and generally speaking, the police are "constantly dealing with criminal mischief," he told council.

In one instance, Shupp said a sexual assault allegedly occurred in a dugout at one of the baseball fields in Dimmick Park.

Had a camera system been installed at the time of that incident, the alleged perpetrator might have been easier to identify, he added.

The cameras that would be installed are of the "pan-tilt-zoom" variety and would be capable of rotating 365 degrees, as well as powerfully zooming in on certain areas, such as the interior of a park pavilion.

Shupp said he would prefer that security cameras be installed in the four parks he highlighted because they all have "tot lots."

Dimmick Park, in particular, is a draw for children--particularly in the summer, when it hosts .

"I think the parks define Hellertown. I really do," Shupp said. "We have a lot of kids in these areas."

The system under consideration is expandable, so additional cameras could be installed at locations such as the  if officials decide they are needed in the future.

Council vice president John Bate asked who would be monitoring the cameras' live feeds and panning them if necessary.

Shupp said the Hellertown Police Department and the Northampton County 911 Center would both be able to monitor the feeds.

He said he also hopes that the cameras will help serve as a deterrent to youths who sometimes make trouble in the parks after school.

"I really like the idea," councilwoman Gail Nolf said. "(The technology) works really well in the city."

Councilman Tom Rieger agreed.

"The same problems the cities have, we have also," he said.

"I know the technology and it’s there and I think it’s something we should consider. We have to protect what we have," he added.

Rieger said he believes the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority has historically favored applications for grants that would fund public safety projects.

Council took no formal action on the chief's recommendation, but announced that it will likely decide the matter at its next meeting, which will be held June 18 at 7pm.

Council also heard a recommendation from resident Joe Delfoe, who said the borough should consider installing a security camera near the fountain in .

Delfoe said he was recently disappointed to discover only $6 or so in change to , which supports the American Cancer Society.

Last year, when money thrown into the fountain during the month of May was collected for Relay, the total amount was significantly higher, Delfoe said.

He told council he believes that "a couple of kids" took much of the donated change out of the fountain this year.

"We have to put a camera on that plaza," Delfoe said.

A security camera would help "protect in this day and age the center of our town" and could help monitor traffic on Main Street, he added.

"It’s not a bad idea," Bate commented.

Shupp recommended that the plaza camera, if deemed necessary, be tied in with the borough complex's security system, rather than with the cameras in the parks with tot lots.