Library Sends Flashing Blue Message With New Security Cameras

The has installed a $9,200 set of video surveillance cameras in the interest of public safety.

So far, the cameras have led to one arrest—a man found urinating in the library on March 14.

The discussion to purchase cameras, installed in February, initially came up last November at a library board meeting after a woman was attacked and robbed outside the building.

Administrative Librarian Michael Davis said the final decision to buy the cameras was related to both safety and cost.

"We noticed a lot of crime and vandalism around the building," Davis explained. "In particular, we had 10 windows that were shot with a BB gun, and those windows will have to be replaced at about $500 a pane. There's been a bit of violence around the neighborhood, also."

Davis said he wanted to get cameras installed for a long time but kept running into roadblocks along the way.

"It took me a little while to get the budget set up so we could get the cameras," Davis said. "Once we got the budget all set up, I got stalled a little bit because the tax bills went out late, and I had to wait to make sure we had enough money to last through the end of the year."

The $9,200 to purchase the cameras did not come from the City. Davis said all of the money came out of the library's own budget.

There are 10 cameras, five inside the library and five outside. Davis said he also has the option to add six more cameras if the library sees a need for them.

Because the Chicago Heights Police Department regularly has an officer at the library on security duty, police have remote access to the cameras.

"I've given the information to the police department," Davis said. "So if there's an incident after hours, they can check the cameras to see what was going on. I also have remote access, because I also get called if burglar alarms go off."

The cameras officially went into operation Feb. 14, and there has only been one noted incident during which a patron became "unruly," urinated on himself and . Davis said he has noticed a decrease in loitering outside the building, and believes it is a direct result of visible blue lights on the outside cameras.

"That's why I had the blue strobes put in," Davis added. "Because I wanted to draw attention to the cameras."