Kerri Lambert, director of the Seaside Downtown Development Association, went before the City Council with a plea for cameras in the city lot at 220 Avenue A.
According to Lambert, people run in and out, smoke and drink in the parking lot. On other occasions, people have lit fireworks or explosives. Sometimes they drop bottles off the ledges to see how close they can get to pedestrians. In the summer, Lambert said girls were attacked with pepper spray. Shoplifters hide and run through the structure to Avenue A.
A wall is tagged at the city lot on Avenue A.
Kerri Lambert
“We would like some more security cameras, to make people feel like we can actually do something about it and then hopefully take care of some of the activity that’s going on there,” Lambert said.
Others, including local residents, have been dumping trash and household items in the area, she said.
“I don’t know if cameras would actually do anything about it, but it would just make people feel a little bit more secure,” Lambert added.
At the Jan. 23 City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Wright directed the city manager to work with both police and the public works department to address the issue.
Cameras can be useful, and Seaside police would be willing to discuss the topic further, Chief Dave Ham said after the meeting.
The city owns, and is responsible for, the first two floors of the parking garage, which includes 181 parking stalls, Assistant City Manager Jon Rahl said. WorldMark Seaside retains ownership and maintenance of the top two floors.
The parking lot does have some ability to conceal bad behaviors and crime, he said, though he did not consider the lot any more dangerous than other locations. “Being alert and cautious when being anywhere that has secluded areas is good practice for anyone,” he said.
“If the council asks staff to pursue camera installation, I believe having a study of what would be needed in the area, cost quotes and final approval to make the order would be the next steps,” Ham said.
Lambert said she is confident the city will work with the downtown development association, but wanted to make a formal request as the City Council works on their two-year vision and 2023-24 city budget.
Thank you business association for asking the city to address this. The City Manager is quoted as not thinking this is more dangerous than anywhere else, but I disagree. Sites such as this that are not visible easily are more likely to be unsafe. The city has a responsibility here. And I’m not sure what the manage thinks a ‘study’ would do. Often that delays the action, and cost more in the process. The city must have access to someone who can address best practices on security with cameras in such locations without a paid ‘study’.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(1) comment
Thank you business association for asking the city to address this. The City Manager is quoted as not thinking this is more dangerous than anywhere else, but I disagree. Sites such as this that are not visible easily are more likely to be unsafe. The city has a responsibility here. And I’m not sure what the manage thinks a ‘study’ would do. Often that delays the action, and cost more in the process. The city must have access to someone who can address best practices on security with cameras in such locations without a paid ‘study’.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.