Troubled area might get camera

WILKES-BARRE – The board of directors of Hawkeye Security Solutions on Wednesday vowed to address the concerns of city residents wanting a surveillance camera at Park Avenue and Lehigh Street.

City Council Chairman Bill Barrett informed his fellow Hawkeye board members that several residents expressed serious concerns about crime in the area and they have asked council on several occasions for a camera.

“This has been an ongoing issue,” he said. “There’s been a lot of youth violence there for quite awhile and the residents have been very vocal.”

Barrett, a former city police chief, said he expressed his concerns to current Chief Gerard Dessoye, and the corner, located near GAR High School, has been evaluated for possible camera placement.

Last week’s council meeting was attended by about 20 residents of the neighborhood. Joseph O’Day spoke for the group, relaying several incidents of criminal activity. He said his son and another student – in separate incidences – were robbed at gunpoint.

O’Day, a retired prison guard, said he and his neighbors are extremely concerned about their children’s safety.

“I know the police recently made an arrest of someone regarding one of these incidents,” Barrett said. “But when we get these new mobile cameras, we can’t put them in a closet. We need them out there.”

Greg Barrouk, city director of economic development, said three mobile cameras have been ordered and will arrive within the next two weeks. He said the corner of Park Avenue and Lehigh Street will be one of the first areas looked at as a possible site.

Barrouk also said the city has applied for an additional $1 million in gaming funds to purchase more cameras and equipment. He said he expects word on approval of the funds to come by the end of October.

“I’m happy to see the mobile units have been ordered,” Barrett said. “I will stay on top of this and do everything I can to see the first one is installed at Park Avenue and Lehigh Street.”

Councilman Tony Thomas Jr., reached after the meeting, lives in the neighborhood and said he appreciates the Hawkeye board’s support of the request.

“There should be an easier way for people to make these requests to expedite results,” Thomas said. “We will instruct our city clerk that if anybody calls for a camera in their area, to contact Hawkeye directly and then come to council. If bad areas are identified, cameras should be placed.”

Thomas said that if the city gets the additional grant money, the neighborhoods should get cameras.

Frank Majikes, chairman of the Hawkeye board, said the nonprofit group is doing all it can to install the cameras.

“This is a serious concern of ours, the police department and the city,” Majikes said.

Lou Lau, board member and the city’s information technology director, said 140 of the 150 cameras already purchased are operational – mostly in the downtown. Lau said there have been some glitches, including signal interference caused by trees, electrical issues and other network related problems.

The board also approved a reduction in the number of Legion Security employees working per shift from two to one. The city police union filed an unfair labor practice suit and Hawkeye agreed to staff each shift with one officer and a Legion Security employee.

Barrouk said the two Legion employees were paid a total of $26.50 per hour and as of Sept. 1, the one Legion worker per shift will receive $15 per hour.

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A security board listens to Wilkes-Barre residents’ concerns about Park Avenue, Lehigh Street.

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