Plainfield Park District Approves Security Camera Policy

Earlier this summer, the Plainfield Park District spent $4,000 installing security cameras at the Ottawa Street Pool.

• Sign up for the Plainfield Patch newsletter
• Like Plainfield Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  
  

On Wednesday, the park board voted 4-1 to adopt a policy to govern the new surveillance equipment, with only commissioner Larry Newton voting no.

Currently, there are five cameras at the pool.

The new policy reads, in part:

“Video cameras are in fixed locations and shall not be positioned in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of personal privacy such as restrooms or changing rooms. The video security cameras will be positioned to record only those areas specified by the park district administration, and will complement other measures to maintain a safe and secure environment in compliance with pool policies.” 

The police also notes that only park district administration, recreation supervisor or employees designated by administrators are authorized to operate the video system. Access to video records is limited to park district administrators.

According to the policy, all images will be retained for 14 days and will not be routinely monitored in real time or reviewed by staff.  The policy continues:

“The images produced by the security camera system shall only be used for: 1) The identification of a person or persons responsible for pool policy violations, criminal activity or actions considered disruptive to normal pool operation, 2) to assist law enforcement agencies in accordance with applicable state and federal laws upon receipt of a subpoena. The requirement of a subpoena may, however, be waived by park district administration when appropriate, 3) To provide a video record of incidents that can be retained and reviewed as long as considered necessary by the director.”

Based on discussion at the July 24 budget meeting, the park district is also looking into ways to save footage for more than two weeks.

In a memo to the board, Executive Director Garrett Peck outlined a proposal from current vendor D&I Electronics to add basic motion sensors and an alarm siren, as well as back up surveillance footage to be stored for up to one year — but the plan proved too costly for board members.

“To properly cover the entire property, at least two additional outside sensors would be required, at a listed purchase price of $725 each or a higher-than-listed lease cost.” The DVR upgrade to save footage for a year would cost $2,150.

Board president Peter Hurtado directed Peck to look for cheaper options for upgrading the DVR. Peck said he will consult with other vendors.