Stamford to Install Security Cams, Phones in Some City Parks

In the wake of a sexual assault at Cove Island Park and a fatal shooting at Lione Park, the city is looking to install emergency lights, phones and cameras in those parks in addition to several of Stamford’s 56 parks.

The Park and Recreation Commission in late September approved installation of a single blue light emergency phone and camera in Carwin, Scalzi, Cummings, Mill River and Veterans parks. There aren’t any security cameras or phones in city parks.

Lione and Cove Island parks were added to the plan by the city’s Camera Review Committee last week, days after Maxine Gooden, 43, was fatally shot as she talked with friends in the parking lot of the West Side park Nov. 2.

On Monday, Mayor David Martin said he would ask the Board of Finance this week to approve $150,000 to pay for the cameras. Martin said that if a camera was at the entrance to Cove Island Park, it might have helped identify the rapist who assaulted a 30-year-old woman last month, according to The Advocate.

Each camera and light pole would cost about is $15,000, in addition to the expense of hiring an electrician to install power to the devices. The phones and cameras would directly link to the city’s 911 Dispatch Center where operators would be able to see callers on the phone and dispatch help.

The Advocate story can be found here.

Photo: blue light emergency phone. Credit: KOMUnews via Flickr.com.