Security cameras coming to Morristown neighborhood

Manahan Village will be getting extra eyes-- electronic eyes--intended to increase public safety. Photo: MHA.org
Manahan Village will be getting extra eyes-- electronic eyes--intended to increase public safety. Photo: MHA.org
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Residents of Morristown’s Manahan Village will be getting some extra eyes — electronic eyes– to boost security in their community.

The Morristown Housing Authority has received a $250,000 grant for security cameras and lighting, MHA Executive Director Roy Rogers said on Monday.

Manahan Village will be getting extra eyes-- electronic eyes--intended to increase public safety. Photo: MHA.org
Manahan Village will be getting extra eyes– electronic eyes–intended to increase public safety. Photo: MHA.org

Bids from vendors are due early next month and the cameras should be in place by March 2017 at the latest, though they could be installed within three or four months if all goes smoothly, said Rogers, who discussed the plans last week with residents of Manahan Village.

“They felt this would make their community safer. We hope to curtail any drug dealing or alcohol in public,” the director said.

“It’s an excellent first step,” said resident Tawanna Cotten. “We want to discourage people from hanging out at all times and disturbing the peace.”

About 20 cameras will be rotated among 100 or so locations in the community, according to Rogers.  They won’t be monitored in real time–Rogers said there is no staff for that.

Instead, cameras will record videos that will be kept for 30 days, for review when any complaints are filed.  The grant also includes some money for additional lighting, Rogers said.

“Cameras are okay, but we need more lighting,” said resident Mary Booze. “Cameras will make it safer, but lighting will make it more safe.”

‘THEY’RE EVERYWHERE’

Hiliari Davis, the town council’s liaison to the housing authority, and a resident of Manahan Village, said security cameras are at upscale developments like Modera 44, and are a good idea in general.

“They’re everywhere,” Davis said. “This just makes for a safer environment.”

Manahan Village is “not a dangerous place, but it’s important to pinpoint certain activities,” the councilwoman added. “I think it’s necessary. You hear stories all the time, and it’s always security cameras that vindicate people.”

Cotten said the neighborhood is concerned about loitering by nonresidents who bring alcohol, marijuana, loud arguments and altercations.  She hopes for increased cooperation among the MHA, police and residents, and stricter enforcement of the town’s noise ordinance, she said.

While there is talk about forming a neighborhood watch committee, Cotten said some residents fear retribution.  When they report problems to police, she said, officers sometimes appear at their doors, which heightens residents’ worries about being singled out.

Booze said she wished the housing authority had distributed flyers to alert more residents to last week’s meeting, which by her estimate was attended by about 15 people. She also would like to see grant money spent on sprucing up Manahan Village.  The grass needs cutting, she added.

“We also have overgrown bushes that make it easy for people to hide behind,” Cotten said.

NO QUORUM…AGAIN

More meetings will be held to solicit residents’ input on camera placement, Davis said. She echoed concerns about landscaping, estimating the grass at Manahan Village and at Early Street’s public housing is “13- to 14 inches high.”

The councilwoman also expressed frustration with the cancellation of Monday’s regularly scheduled MHA board meeting, which lacked a quorum. Davis said it was the third such cancellation in her five months as liaison.

“If you’re appointed to be a commissioner, it’s expected that you’ll show up,” Davis said. “It’s a real disservice to residents. Unfortunately, they are the ones who suffer.”

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