Council advances security-camera plan for Lee Victory Park after questions about retention and coverage

Council reviewed a proposal to install security cameras at Lee Victory Park, with staff recommending Turner Security as the low bidder and describing initial coverage focused on parking lots and the Cous memorial.

Staff said the low quote was $24,966 and that the system would use existing light poles for mounting. "We budgeted $25,000 this year, but we also budgeted in FY27 another $25,000," a staff member said, adding that gaps could be addressed in the next budget cycle if council approves the initial installation.

Council members pressed staff on video-retention policies and cloud hosting. Staff said each camera has local storage and footage will be replicated to a cloud service; default retention discussed ranged from 30 to 90 days, and staff said the town will archive incident footage as needed.

Motion-activation settings would limit continuous recording; staff said the initial design prioritizes parking-lot coverage and that the system will capture portions of activity at nearby courts but additional cameras may be added to improve sightlines. Staff said police data on prior incidents will help define future coverage.

Council discussed community access options (delayed or live feeds) and decided the primary aim is prevention and police dispatching, not public livestreaming. Staff said they would coordinate with the police department to review call data and identify future priority camera sites.

If council approves the consent agenda, staff will return a final contract with signature pages and scope details, and will work with vendors on retention, motion settings and integration with existing license-plate-reader cameras.