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FPRA approves $51,266 for cameras after residents urge more downtown safety measures
Summary
At its June 11 meeting the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency approved $51,266 for 12 overt cameras across the redevelopment area after residents urged more surveillance downtown amid concerns about theft and recent shootings; the board also approved a parking-lot contract and a lease termination on the consent agenda.
The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency voted June 11 to spend $51,266.40 to buy 12 overt surveillance cameras for key locations in the redevelopment area after several residents urged the board to expand downtown coverage and take tougher steps on public safety.
Resident Becky Demanuel, who gave her address to the board, said she had noticed multiple streetlights out in downtown stretches such as East Second Street and Indian River Drive and urged the city to add cameras downtown in addition to the redevelopment-area purchase because business owners and visitors frequent that corridor. “I think it would behoove us to also look at some cameras for downtown,” she said.
Commissioner Gaines supported the expenditure at the meeting but asked staff to examine whether additional downtown cameras and funding sources could be pursued alongside the redevelopment-area installation. The purchase was carried by roll call as part of the consent agenda.
Other consent actions: The board also approved a construction contract for a new parking lot at Avenue D and Means Court with Close Construction Services LLC, not to exceed $385,610.50. That item prompted questions about landscaping buffers, bumper stops, drainage connections to the storm system and towing policies for overnight parking; staff said those operational details would be set after construction. The board additionally approved a staff-originated notice to terminate the Lincoln Park Young Professionals lease; Commissioner Gaines recorded the lone no vote on that item.
Why it matters: Residents connected public-safety concerns to economic vitality and downtown activity. At the meeting, speakers also pressed the board to coordinate with community groups and to seek CRA and federal funding streams to support prevention and youth programs.
What residents said: Mario Wilcox urged the agency to address drug sales he said are happening in certain neighborhoods and raised the prospect of using CRA designation to direct funding. Charlie Hayek and Isaac Jones offered conflicting views on the King’s Landing developer but both tied financing and stability of development projects to the city’s broader reputation.
Next steps: Staff will coordinate camera installation in the redevelopment area and return to the board or operate through existing procurement procedures for any additional downtown camera proposals and post-construction parking rules.
