Public Safety Cameras in Our City

Community safety is a top priority in our City; the City Council and I consider this is of utmost importance. Peachtree Corners is extremely fortunate to have the services of the Gwinnett County Police Department to patrol our neighborhoods and public areas.

However, we felt there was more the City could do to assist the GCPD in ensuring the safety of our citizens, our businesses and those visiting. You may have read in the news recently about Georgia Power’s program that offers cities a service to install cameras and license plate readers at strategic entry points. A number of surrounding cities have added public safety cameras through this program. The cameras record traffic movements and scan license plates.

We will begin implementing Georgia Powers’ program in the coming months. I am sure you have questions. Below is a series of Q&As which should address the majority of your queries. Please know, we are all available and happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

Editor’s Note: This Q&A was part of the city’s official news published in our April/May issue. Since publication we’ve learned that some of the cameras will be installed beginning in May but it will be August before all 15 are installed and working.

Q: Why is the City doing this? Has the crime rate risen in Peachtree Corners?

A: No. The cameras are designed to enhance GCPD’s crime-fighting capabilities. The City decided to add the video/license place recognition cameras as another step in ensuring everyone’s safety.

Q: How many cameras will be installed and where will these cameras be located?

A: With GCPD’s assistance, the city has identified 15 locations, which are all at major entry points into the City. The cameras will only capture activity in the public right of way. The locations were chosen based on factors such as traffic count and crime statistics.

Q: Will the cameras include recording activity in neighborhoods and other residential areas?

A: No, the cameras will only record activity on the selected 15 major access points. The purpose for these camera locations is to capture traffic on major thoroughfares coming in and out of our City. The accompanying map shows the locations where the cameras will be located.

Q: Will the City or residents have access to the video footage from the cameras? And how long is the video kept?

A: Only the GCPD will have access. The camera system retains video footage, which is stored in the cloud, for 30 days, after that new video footage replaces the oldest footage.

Q: Do the cameras simply record automobiles coming and going?

A: In addition to traffic activity, the cameras are equipped with License Plate Recognition (LPR) capabilities. The cameras will scan license plates and alert police if vehicles are flagged as stolen or of interest in a criminal investigation.

Q: Where are the cameras mounted?

A: The cameras and LPRs are mounted to utility poles and streetlights. They are high-speed, computer-controlled cameras that capture all license plate numbers that come into view, along with the location, date and time.

Q: How are the police notified? How does the LPR technology work?

A: The readers send an alert to officers’ laptops when a tag is read that may be connected to a stolen vehicle, car-jacking or other criminal activity.

Q: How much do these cameras cost? Did the City purchase them?

A: The cameras will be leased from Georgia Power for $285.00 per month per camera and Georgia Power will repair or replace any camera that isn’t working properly. This was a less expensive option over purchasing the equipment. Additionally, the lease agreement ensures the cameras will be maintained by the provider. The monthly cost includes the camera itself, electricity and cloud storage of data.

Q: When will the cameras be installed?

A: The City is coordinating with Georgia Power; the work is expected to be complete by late summer.

Q: Will additional cameras be added at a later time?

A: It’s possible, the GCPD will help in assessing whether additional cameras are needed.

Q: Can these cameras be installed at the entrance to my subdivision?

A: The City is working on a program that would allow subdivisions to request the cameras to be installed at the entrance. The subdivisions must meet certain criteria. Each neighborhood would be responsible for the cost of installing and the monthly/yearly cost of operation. We expect to have more information on this program in the near future.

Peachtree Corners has relatively low crime rates; however, we have state and county roads that run through our City carrying over 150,000 vehicles daily through our city limits. Adding an additional crime-fighting tool that the police can use makes our City that much safer.

Sincerely,

Mike Mason, Mayor