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Pittsfield Township could soon have security cameras like these in Ypsilanti Township.
AnnArbor.com file photo
The Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees will consider purchasing six security cameras at its regular meeting Wednesday.
The cameras would first be installed on township properties in places like parks, parking lots and outside of restrooms, but could eventually be included at three apartment complexes, said Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger.
In the case of the restrooms, there have been problems with things like vandalism and graffiti, Harshberger said.
The township is also currently in negotiations with real estate company McKinley, Inc. about installing cameras near exits and entrances at Glencoe Hills, 2201 Glencoe Hills Dr., Evergreen Apartments, 3089 Woodland Hills Dr. and Golfside Lake, 2345 Woodridge Way.
Harshberger said there have been problems at these three complexes in the past.
“This gives us an added opportunity for security,” he said.
Many of the details of about the program have yet to be hashed out. The first step will take place Wednesday night when the board will decide whether to purchase six security cameras, one server with offsite hosting and repair/maintenance service for one year from Camtronics. The total price tag for all of it is $31,667, with $28,500 coming from a state grant the township has been award. Pittsfield would provide 10 percent matching funds for the program.
Harshberger said all six cameras might be used at the township locations or they could be spread around immediately to the apartment complexes depending on the negotiations with McKinley. The township could also acquire more cameras in the future.
The cameras will be useful in not only reviewing crimes that could occurred within their shots, but obtaining suspect and vehicle descriptions and locating missing people, Harshberger said.
The success of the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office's program in Ypsilanti Township's West Willow neighborhood provided inspiration and prompted Pittsfield to look into the cameras, Harshberger added.
The township has consulted with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) about how to place the cameras in places that violate privacy the least.
Harshberger said the township is very much "tuned into those concerns."
The issue is also addressed in the memorandum to the rest of the board from Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal, who is recommending the purchase.
"The Department of Public Safety has been working with the township's attorney and the ACLU to ensure that cameras installed on public property will be used in the least intrusive manner," the memo states, "while allowing for identification of persons and vehicles when necessary."
Grewal could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
