by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
According to top City sources, much of downtown will be under wireless video surveillance by early 2005.
Due to relatively tight time constraints — the City would like the system running before the Super Bowl — no Request for Proposals will be issued.
“We have, however, narrowed our search down to two vendors and we plan to make a decision shortly,” said Dave Lauer, the City’s chief information officer.
Described as a “public safety and security issue,” the approximately $2 million video canopy system will be funded by the City with additional funding coming from state and federal grants.
Mayor’s office staffer Brad Thoburn has already approached U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw regarding the matter.
“It’s still in a very early stage,” said Thoburn, “but we’re trying to locate different funding sources to help cover operating costs for the system.”
Thoburn declined to speculate on a figure.
Working from a “central command center,” Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office personnel will be able to monitor areas of downtown expected to be flooded with people during the Super Bowl and other special events.
Lauer said between 100 to 200 cameras, capturing real time footage, will be in place at Alltel Stadium, along Bay and Water streets and on various bridges.
The goal, he said, will be to monitor all activities and hopefully prevent incident or injury.
“We’re also looking into installing additional, temporary cameras on the Southbank during the Super Bowl,” he said, “areas like the NFL Experience, for example, where we expect a lot of activity.”
In addition to filming live, Lauer and Frank Mackesy, JSO director of patrol and enforcement, said all captured footage will be watermarked and available to be used as evidence in a court case if needed.
“Yes, it is legally sound,” said Lauer.
“It’s a great system and something a city of this size definitely should have in place,” said Mackesy. “It can only better allow us to keep the public safe and secure.
“This is the kind of thing that we have needed for a long time. The Super Bowl has just helped prompt it along.”
Mayor’s office Chief of Staff Scott Teagle agreed.
“The Super Bowl does give us a good reason to look into something like this,” he said, “but it will still be here long after it’s come and gone, and it has the potential to be a valuable resource.”