Title
Installation of Police Cameras in James Madison Park as part of TID 32-State Street-Cameras
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The City of Madison Parks Division has received a request from the Madison Police Department to install two police cameras within James Madison Park, located at 300 E. Gorham Street and 622 E. Gorham Street, in accordance with the TID 32-State Street-Cameras project, as approved in the 2017 Capital Budget as Project No. 99001.
The use of downtown security cameras began in 2005 as part of the Madison Police Department initiative, which currently have approximately 60 cameras in the downtown area. Over the last year, the Central District began exploring additional locations for City cameras to be installed throughout the Downtown area as well as the upgrading of aging cameras with low quality resolution. This request was a result of a combination of emerging crime trends, calls for service history, and district projects. The Central District command staff identified approximately 20 locations where there would be an evidentiary need to install video cameras in order to address the above goals, including the need for cameras in James Madison Park due to yearly crime trends around the basketball courts and the boathouse. Common calls for service in these areas include physical disturbances, drug investigations, trespassing, public sex acts, and other quality of life issues that affect visitors to the park. These City cameras have proven to be extremely beneficial in the past with investigations on incidents downtown and in several other City Parks, as well as acting as a very useful and effective crime deterrent tool.
Parks staff have reviewed the request; one camera will be located next to the shelter, and the other next to the basketball court. The proposed cameras will require necessary fiber optic conduit and cable as required for the installation. The camera installation will be funded by TIF proceeds from TID 32 while the operating costs (except el...
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