2023.04.25 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 28, 2023 Page 7 of 10 crime was increasing around him. He noted crime was up 11% since 2019. He indicated there was a gun event on County Road E and at Cub Foods. He explained criminals were casing his neighborhood and were looking for opportunities. He stated he had a full Callaway golf bag and tool set stolen from his garage, when his garage door was left open. He understood New Brighton had a wonderful police department, they can’t be everywhere at all times. He discussed how security cameras were able to catch everything. He stated he owns a construction company and he has had four trailers broken into on the jobsites and one vehicle stolen. He shared a three minute video from the security cameras on his house of a recent carjacking in his neighborhood. He indicated the cameras on his home were good, but he needed another camera that would provide a view of the street so he could catch license plate numbers. This led him to install a 4K camera on the street sign pole. He did not believe the City had any liability issues with the camera being installed on the pole. He was of the opinion the neighborhood needed more security given the crime events that have occurred. Councilmember Dunsworth asked if prevention was the objective, why not make the cameras more obvious. Mr. Zoerb commented this was a nice recommendation and noted he could paint them bright orange. Councilmember Dunsworth stated she was trying to understand the intent, because the cameras were hidden at this time. She explained if Mr. Zoerb was trying to send a signal to criminal’s she was trying to understand why the cameras were not more obvious. She believed it would be better for Mr. Zoerb to follow the City’s recommendation to have the cameras posted on private property. Mr. Zoerb indicated he could paint the cameras to make them more obvious. He did not believe there was a reason to remount them somewhere else. He indicated the cameras were not hidden. He noted he turned over all of the footage from the carjacking to the police department. Councilmember Dunsworth asked why the cameras could not be moved somewhere else. Mr. Zoerb suggested cameras be installed on all mailboxes for safety purposes. However, he understood this was not allowed because mailboxes were within the right of way. Councilmember Dunsworth stated residents that would like to have cameras on their mailboxes should be required to get a permit. Mr. Zoerb asked the Council for a permit to allow his security camera to remain in place. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information regarding right of ways. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola explained right of ways provide land for public good such as storm water management, utilities, roadways, snow storage, and mailboxes. He reported property lines are set back from curbs, typically about 10 feet. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented on the process the City followed for its drone policy and how cameras are used by the police department. City Manager Massopust explained the State of Minnesota requires the City to follow certain processes for drones and cameras because they infringe on privacy. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas inquired if anyone currently rented right of way. City Manager Massopust reported there was not renting of City right of way. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas thanked Mr. Zoerb for being in attendance. She stated Mr. Zoerb’s concerns around public safety were match by the City Council. She noted the Council has made significant investments in the public safety team as well as monitoring the data. She noted the City has had improvements in its crime statistics in the last year. She asked if Mr. Zoerb had considered using his own post for the camera on private property instead of putting the camera on a City street sign. Mr. Zoerb explained the City street sign was one foot into the right of way and was very close to the property line. He did not believe it was practical to put another post in his yard. He explained his camera does not see anything that somebody standing on the street corner would not see. He noted the cameras are not pointed into someone’s home, but rather are pointed right down the street. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas indicated the reality of the camera and what is perceived could be very different. She questioned how the camera was powered. Mr. Zoerb reported the camera