Wynnedale council advances resident input step on proposed license-plate readers

The Wynnedale Town Council on Aug. 20 reviewed a proposal from its Safety and Security Task Force to install seven license-plate readers at North and South entrances under a two-year contract and moved to solicit resident comments before any funding decision.

The council's Safety and Security Task Force presented an executive summary saying the devices reduced crime and cut-through traffic in other neighborhoods. The proposal lists a first-year cost of $20,050 plus monthly utility costs for four cameras in South Wynnedale and a second-year cost of $17,500 plus utilities.

Council member Ann Hildner said the task force found neighboring areas saw decreases in crime and cut-through traffic after installing similar systems. Council member Cheryl McBride raised privacy concerns and moved to send information about the proposal to all Wynnedale residents and ask for comments; Sue Rice seconded the motion. Council member Judy Gruber said the council would select two residents to monitor the system as a check and balance. Council member Jarnell Craig announced the town has money budgeted in safety and security sufficient to cover the first year as described in the minutes.

The council did not take a final funding vote on the license-plate readers; the motion to solicit public feedback was seconded and the substantive funding decision was tabled until the next Town Council meeting. The council next meets Sept. 24 for its annual town budget meeting.

Background: the Safety and Security Task Force recommended a two-year contract and installation at the town entrances; exact siting, monitoring details, monthly utility estimates, and the full contract terms were not specified in the minutes and remain to be provided to residents for comment.