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By LAUREN ROTH
lroth@leader.net
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 Page: 3A
DURYEA Council members, upset that a new video camera peeks into the
borough secretary’s office, voted unanimously Tuesday night to take it down.
It will be replaced by the older, black-and-white camera, which will again
focus only on the front stairwell.
The Duryea Crime Watch had voted in December to pay for a VCR with special
speed capabilities, plus a monitor, so police could watch surveillance tapes,
said Crime Watch co-chairperson and council member Audrey C. Marcinko. Four
cameras came with a special VCR and monitor purchased Jan. 10 at Sam’s Club by
Mayor Keith Moss and then-police Chief Charles Guarnieri.
The cameras one dome camera and three small wall units all have
wide-angle lenses, and the wall units can record sound. One of the wall units,
now hanging over the open entryway of council chambers at the Borough
Building, has become a matter of contention. It monitors the front stairwell
but, because of the wider angle, takes in the secretary’s office as well.
Lois Morreale, borough secretary, said she will be glad to see the new
camera go. “So many people are in and out of my office expecting they had
complete privacy, and that’s not the case.”
Morreale said she also didn’t like being watched without her consent.
The Crime Watch members who raised the funds were not told about the
cameras after the purchase, and the camera was installed without the knowledge
of Morreale or council. Marcinko said the Crime Watch had in mind a monitor
“like a television set. There was no mention at any time of surveillance.”
Guarnieri, whose contract was terminated Feb. 7, said he had no evil
intentions. “I was trying to modernize the Police Department. A
black-and-white camera was replaced with a color camera. That’s all.”
When he left, the cameras were all in the same spots as before the cell,
the rear entrance of the borough building, the rear parking lot and inside.
Guarnieri called the stir about the cameras “basic paranoia.” About 75
people attended the meeting.
Council also vowed to look into noise, dirt and pollution complaints about
truck drivers using Stephenson Street on their way to Airport Sand & Gravel
Co. The Rev. Charles Rokosz, administrator of Holy Rosary School, said he was
worried about the potential risk to children from a truck accident or illness
from airborne dust particles.
Councilman Robert Webb promised council would look into the issue and
report back to citizens at the next meeting.
Lauren Roth, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.