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NEWS
[ Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 ]

Beaver Avenue surveillance cameras supposed to start rolling

Collegian Staff Writer

State College Police Chief Tom King told State College Borough Council members Tuesday that surveillance cameras would be fully operational this morning along Beaver Avenue at the intersections of Hiester Street, Locust Lane and McAllister Street.

It was unclear late last night whether the cameras were ready to begin recording today. King was unavailable for comment concerning his estimation of the project's completion.

"I won't be certain until we see the images, but that's the best estimation I can give council and the public," King said at Tuesday's council meeting.

Plans included posting signs in the area of the cameras' operation to notify citizens that they are under watch.

Collegian Illustration: Melinda Reidenbach

The filming of activity in Beaver Canyon has been a long time coming.

Originally, the State College Borough Council voted 4-3 at the end of last spring semester to accept bids for the project, which began the implementation of the cameras. Wacor Electronics, who received the contract, scheduled the process to take only 90 days.

This meant recording could begin before students returned for fall semester and possibly during the 2003 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. A few problems with equipment and scheduling since the council's decision have delayed the progress, however, and the project's completion date was pushed back several times.

Student opposition to the cameras has been high since the idea came out of the riot prevention committee, which was formed after three riots in the canyon occurred from 1998 and 2001.

Both King and State College Mayor Bill Welch, who also advocated using cameras, have repeatedly stressed they will be used to ensure the students' safety. But, some students have concerns about violations of privacy rights.

 



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