The camera initiative is moving forward at considerable speed. At the meeting on November 21st with City officials we learned that a $300,000 contract has been awarded to begin work on the camera project with initial design activity to commence on December 11th.

A “Pole Attachment Agreement” has been initiated between the City and Georgia Power to install power connectivity on approximately 82 light poles throughout the City. This will provide a power source not only to cameras, but to other future applications requiring power.

A contract is already in being to begin laying fiber-optic cable to run the full length of Barnard, Bull, Abercorn, Habersham and Houston Streets from the downtown area to Forsyth Park. This will provide a solid base for cameras and wireless connectivity throughout all the Squares in Savannah.

Some additional improvements that will be sought in connection with the cameras will be improved lighting throughout Savannah, especially in the tourist areas. To that end a lighting specialist will be visiting Savannah in the next few weeks to provide expert analysis of the current lighting configuration in the City and will recommend needed improvements. Additional lighting would have the added benefit of driving down the cost of cameras in that camera enhancements needed to see better in dark or inclement weather conditions may not be needed.

Due to the increased demands and required coordination to implement the camera initiative the City has named Tara Polli as the Camera Project Manager. She can be reached at 912-233-7806.

More later.

Mike Horner Camera Project Chairman