By EVAN NEMEROFF
"The trustees are committed to preserve safety and security for residents of our community," said village Trustee Michael Fragin. "We want to stop any potential crimes before they actually happen, and this is what the cameras are meant for."
Security cameras at the train stations have been a recurring subject of discussion for the village board, but reports of vehicular break-ins over the Labor Day weekend (Crime Watch, Sept. 11-17) once again made it a hot topic. "We have been speaking about this for a number of years, going back two to three years," Lawrence Mayor Simon Felder said. "Then problems quieted down until this past Labor Day weekend, which led us to discuss the cameras again and pursue funding from the county."
The plan is for a camera to be installed in each parking lot, with the feed from both cameras sent to Village Hall. Village officials would contact the 4th Precinct if they noticed any suspicious activities. The cameras would be on at all times, and would cost an estimated $20,000 to install and maintain.
"We are always working together with the 4th Precinct to deter crime in our area, and are partnering with them in this project," Fragin said. "We will have direct communication with the police if anything happens."
The village plans to conduct a pilot program to see if the cameras are helpful in reducing crime. "We will continually evaluate the project and determine whether to expand it," Fragin said. "It is likely to be a long-term project. The length of time the cameras remain in the parking lots will depend upon if and how effective they are in doing their jobs, which is protecting our parking lots and stopping any criminal activity."
Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback has worked with the village to gain the county's approval to install the cameras. "It's my job to be in close contact with the village and neighborhoods and ... to help with any concerns they may have, and security at the train stations in Lawrence and Inwood was one," Toback said. "Any way to assist the police department in saving crimes from happening is beneficial. These cameras are high-tech, and even at night they get great pictures of what is occurring and are able to deter crime."
Salvatore Arena, the Long Island Rail Road's assistant director of media relations, said the LIRR believes that cameras in its parking lots are beneficial to its customers. "The Long Island Rail Road supports the decision by local authorities to install security cameras at the parking lots they oversee," Arena said. "We believe it represents a significant security enhancement for our customers."
Parking at the Lawrence station requires a yearly permit, which costs village commuters $40 per year for the first vehicle and $20 for each additional vehicle. Nonresidents pay $100, and must park at the Inwood station. There is also overnight and weekend parking in long-term parking areas, which costs $300 per year.
Felder said he believes that with the addition of the security cameras, people who have not purchased parking permits in the past may now consider doing so. "The cameras will provide more observation and surveillance in the parking lots," he said. "The fee to park here is reasonable, and with increased security, we can get a picture of who is there and control what goes on at night ... [W]e will always have a record of what goes on in our lots."
Several committees of the county Legislature are expected to approve the funding request for the cameras on Oct. 6, and the Legislature will vote on the installation plan on Oct. 20. "I estimate that the cameras will be in place as early as this winter," Toback said.
Comments about this story? ENemeroff@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
