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Bel Air considers Verkada camera purchase; commissioners asked about recurring costs and privacy safeguards
Summary
Town staff proposed installing a fleet of Verkada cameras with a five-year service plan; commissioners and staff discussed annual recurring fees, whether licensing is per camera and what measures will protect residential privacy and restrict access to law enforcement.
Town staff presented a proposed surveillance-camera purchase and security plan during the FY26 budget review and commissioners asked detailed questions about recurring subscription fees and privacy safeguards.
Staff said the draft FY26 capital budget includes approximately $226,000 for a Verkada network of cameras and related upgrades. The town would purchase a five-year service plan that includes software updates and support; staff noted using cellular (Verizon) connectivity for cameras in some locations to avoid wireless access-card costs and to save an estimated $17,000 over five years.
Commissioners asked how the Verkada recurring cost is calculated and whether the town’s annual operating budget will be charged per camera or at a flat rate. Commissioner Taylor asked for a breakdown showing what portion of the $226,000 is capital hardware and what portion is recurring service or subscription pricing, and whether the subscription scales with the number of cameras.
Members also raised privacy and oversight concerns. Chief and public-safety staff (discussed by Eddie and the chief) said the intended camera placement focuses on high-risk commercial or public locations — shopping centers, downtown Main Street and parks — and noted that park cameras might be located where properties back up to residential yards. Staff said installations will be configured to monitor the public right-of-way or park areas and not to “scan” private homes; they also said access to live or recorded feeds would be strictly limited to law enforcement staff as part of internal access controls and two-factor authentication.
Why it matters: The system would expand public-safety monitoring in the town’s commercial corridors and parks but raises recurring subscription costs and privacy questions commissioners want clarified before committing capital funds.
Next steps: Staff will return with an itemized capital/operating split for the Verkada purchase, a per-camera subscription schedule, and a written description of access controls and retention policies; staff also offered to arrange a demonstration of the system for commissioners or a closed-session briefing if counsel deems it appropriate for tactical reasons.
