With reports of vandalism and mischief at parking decks in the city, the Pottsville Parking Authority decided Friday to equip two of them with tiny surveillance cameras.
Diana McGeever, administrative assistant for the Pottsville Area Development Authority, and John E. Levkulic, Pottsville, the parking authority’s engineer, brought up the issue at the parking authority’s April meeting at the Lipkin Technology Building, 1 S. Second St.
“There was evidently some vandalism at the Mahantongo deck,” Levkulic said.
McGeever said she’s heard reports of tires being flattened there.
City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said an exit sign was also pulled down at the Mahantongo deck.
“It was one of those metal signs bolted to the wall. It was minor vandalism. That was sometime in the past month,” Palamar said.
“John, cameras these days are very inexpensive,” parking authority chairman, city Mayor James T. Muldowney, said.
“And whatever you have for city hall, you can probably tie them into your same system,” Levkulic said.
“We’re working at getting a new camera system at city hall updated,” Muldowney said.
Palamar said the city has tried using small security cameras at outdoor locations, including the closed Collins Street Bridge that he referred to as “the Palo Alto bridge.”
“It was two months. We’ve been using these portable trail cams all around whenever we sense that there’s a problem. We were having an issue with people over at the Palo Alto bridge with people trying to cross. We installed these trail cams and they were great. It’s crystal clear too. We can put those all around different places and move them,” Palamar said.
But it might be difficult mounting the cameras in a parking deck, “because it’s all concrete,” Palamar said.
“They’ll find a way,” Dorothy L. “Dottie” Botto, parking authority board member, said.
“What do you pay for those trail cams?” Muldowney asked.
“They’re about a hundred-and-some dollars,” Mark Atkinson, parking authority board member, said.
“I just bought some at $85 apiece,” Joseph J. Devine Jr., parking authority vice chairman, said.
“Question for you, Rick,” Palamar said to Richard Thornburg, the authority’s solicitor. “Do we have to warn the general public that the place is under video surveillance?” Palamar asked.
“You don’t have to,” Thornburg said.
Putting up signs telling the public that the parking decks are under video surveillance could “act as a deterrent,” Atkinson said.
“The downside of that is they could go looking for them and smash them,” Atkinson said.
“But once you catch the first person, it will get out,” Edmund J. Jones, parking authority board member, said.
“So, should we explore that and get some signs made up?” Palamar asked the authority.
“I think we should. We can get a couple of signs and a couple of these trail cams and put them in there. Anyone want to make a motion on that?” Muldowney asked.
Atkinson made the motion. It was seconded by Devine, who said “we have to catch them in the act.” It was carried in a voice vote by all other members of the authority.
In the motion, the authority did not set parameters for how much should be spent on the security project.
“We’re not going to spend a lot of money on it,” Atkinson said.
“That’s why we didn’t do it that way because it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a big expense,” Muldowney said.
“We’re probably only going to buy about two cameras and a couple signs to start,” Palamar said.
The Capitol Parking Garage is a four-level parking deck at Centre and Race streets with 234 parking spaces. It will turn 20 on July 14, according to the dedication plaque on its facade.
The 46-year-old Mahantongo Parking Center is a six-level parking garage at Mahantongo and Second streets with 277 parking spaces, according to newspaper archives.
In other business, Levkulic said the parking authority will discuss bids for numerous repairs at the Mahantongo deck.
“Bids will be received by next month’s meeting,” Levkulic said.
The work could include a new surface on the top deck, water repellent sealer on the lower decks and repairing concrete throughout the decks, he said.