City may install cameras at Copper Sky

Smile, you may be on camera at Copper Sky Recreation Complex in the near future.

The Maricopa City Council heard a presentation in a work study session on June 17 by Police Chief Steve Stahl on installing wireless cameras at Copper Sky.

The council directed staff to request bids for the project.

Stahl said the park presents numerous challenges for the city, especially in the area of public safety. Copper Sky covers 98 acres. Pacana Park, the lone city park until Copper Sky opened this year, is about one-third the size.

The chief said there has been vandalism at the park. The cameras will give police “instant eyes on” the complex.

The city hosts numerous events at the park, and future regional events will attract large audiences, giving rise to public safety concerns the cameras would address, according to the city report. Cameras would also provide residents with an enhanced level of safety as they go about their daily activities at the park.

Criminals have stolen more than $100,000 worth of copper wire from the new park and recreation center.

“Police Officers are already being called to the Copper Sky Regional Park in response to conflicts at the skate park, subjects walking in the park with firearms, and other calls for service,” the report states.

It also noted the police department does not have the manpower to patrol the park 24/7 and the department’s volunteer unit is otherwise occupied assisting at Pacana Park.

Paul Beaton, strategic business development representative at Iveda, talked to the council about options for security cameras at Copper Sky.

Iveda is a Mesa-based company in the business of providing cloud video surveillance products and services.

Representatives from Iveda, a potential vendor, walked the complex grounds and designed a map proposing locations for 12 wireless security cameras.

Beaton said the cameras have the capacity to pan, tilt and zoom.

Whoever is monitoring the cameras will send the information to officers called to the scene so they will know “what they are responding to,” the chief said.

Councilwoman Julia Gusse asked if the city was considering placing cameras at Pacana Park.

“We’ve had a couple of incidents at Pacana,” Gusse said.

Stahl said he has plans to expand the cameras in other areas of the city.