The Hornell Housing Authority approved a bid for installing camera systems at three of its properties during a June 15 meeting.
By Andrew Poole

As posted on the Evening Tribune – Jun. 29, 2011 – Hornell, N.Y.
http://www.eveningtribune.com/article/20110629/NEWS/306299941

The Hornell Housing Authority approved a bid for installing camera systems at three of its properties during a June 15 meeting.
The wireless cameras will be installed at the Authority’s Church Street Court, Sawyer Street site, and Hillside Manor. Combined the complexes consist of 150 rental units housing approximately 250 residents.

The cameras are part of a joint effort between the HHA and the Hornell police department to cut crime and increase prevention across the Maple City.

HHA Executive Director Jason Sackett said installing cameras at these locations will provide the HHA with footage of any incidents at the residences.

“We haven’t had serious issues at the locations. More or less, it’s a way to monitor them in case something serious does come up. We’ve been lucky so far not to have any serious altercations. If that should happen, it’s always nice to see what happened,” he said.

Five cameras will be spread across the three locations, with the possibility of expanding cameras to other HHA properties in the future unlikely.

“We have nine single family homes throughout the city, but considering the cost factor, we’re trying to focus on the main properties,” said Sackett.

Discussion of camera installation has spread over several months, with the city Board of Public Safety accepting the $165,891 bid from Integrated Systems at its June 9 meeting. Federal grant money is footing the bill for the project, with $99,632 coming from grants awarded to the police department and the remaining $66,259 coming from the HHA.

The bid covers hardware, software, and all training related to the new system. The cameras will be monitored at the police department, with the police retaining archived footage. The HHA will be able to review the footage from its five cameras.

According to a release from the HHA, Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras, with 360-degree capabilities, will be installed at multiple locations throughout the city. The cameras have the ability to read a license plate from a distance of 525 feet.

Initial plans called for 32 fixed cameras, without 360-degree capabilities, to be installed for the project. Hornell Police Chief Ted Murray said previously that the 360-degree cameras cover the equivalent of four or five of the fixed cameras.

Police are also intending to move the cameras across trouble locations in the city where thefts and vandalism are more prevalent. Main Street and the city parks have been discussed as likely locations.

Planning and installing the cameras and training for using the cameras should take approximately 12 weeks.