With some help from the federal government, CATA buses may be equipped with security cameras in the near future.
The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) has put in a request to three local U.S. congressmen for $680,000 in federal funds, which CATA General Manager Hugh Mose
said will be used to pay for a $830,000 security camera installation.
Mose isn't worried about security any more than usual -- he's just trying to keep up with transit services across the country, he said.
"CATA is not unique in this. Most transit systems have cameras on board," he said. "We are probably behind most transit systems in installing this technology."
Cameras mounted on the outside of buses will be able to review any collisions that occur, he said, and cameras inside could determine whether passengers paid their fare or could find who is responsible for unruly behavior.
Disputes on CATA buses are often a matter of "he-said, she-said," but having video to review could help get the facts straight.
"We can replay the incident," Mose said. "It will be beneficial to our riders, it will be beneficial to our drivers, and I think it will be beneficial to the whole community."
Marisol Williams (sophomore-international politics and environmental resource management) said she has always felt safe on CATA buses but welcomes any additional security measures.
"I don't think it would hurt," she said. "But quite frankly, I don't think I've ever heard of any of reports about crime that would require security of that type."
Other students are questioning the need for cameras, especially at such a high cost.
Anthony Ochmanowicz (freshman-Latin) said security cameras may be overkill.
"I usually don't think bad things happen on CATA buses," he said. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to have security cameras if they needed them, but it might be more expensive than it's worth."
And CATA may have to foot even more of the bill if it does not receive the full amount of money it requested from the federal government.
Mose said receiving government grants is always a competitive process, though CATA has had success in the past with securing funds for projects.
"We have enjoyed very strong support from our representatives in Congress," he said.
In addition to installing security cameras, Mose said CATA plans to use a small portion of the federal money to update its two-way radios and to improve dispatch service.
