The township will spend $60,000, most of it on video surveillance, to equip the Woolwich Memorial Centre with a security system.
The building was vandalized last New Year’s Eve when young offenders broke in undetected. Damage topped $100,000. While there were conduits for a security system as part of the $23-million building opened in 2009, a security system was never installed.
Reversing course, councillors this week approved a plan that would see extensive monitoring put in place. Along with a range of motion sensors and glass-break detectors, the system includes video cameras and recording devices. That surveillance equipment makes up two-thirds of the $60,000 price tag, which came in $10,000 over the township’s budget for the project.
Beyond recording any break-ins, the cameras could be helpful in providing visual evidence in the case of accidents or emergencies, as well as claims related to slips, trips and falls, staff maintains.
The issues of surveillance prompted Coun. Mark Bauman to question whether the cameras might be an issue with unionized workers.
“I don’t feel that it will affect the collective agreement,” said chief administrative officer David Brenneman in response.
Signs will be installed to let everyone know the building is under video surveillance, he added.
The work will be carried out by Bulldog Fire and Security, which was selected from among eight bids received in response to the township’s tender.
Ongoing 24/7 monitoring will cost $22 a month.
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