Paducah approves phase 1 of parks camera upgrade, 21 cameras to be installed

The City Commission approved a municipal order to accept the bid of Inspired Technologies for $95,320.22 to install cameras in three parks as part of a multiphase parks camera project.

Eric, a parks department staff member, told commissioners the city selected Noble Park, Health Park and Robert Coleman Park for phase 1 because they have the most traffic and infrastructure to protect. He said the overall project budgeted about $228,000 for fiber, electrical and cameras, with roughly $116,827 allocated specifically to cameras and installation for this phase. "The city has 27 parks under its care and maintenance," Eric said, and this phase will install 21 cameras across the three parks.

Eric described the cameras as higher-resolution, four-lens units that provide a 360-degree view and reduce blind spots compared with older pan-tilt-zoom units. He said recorded footage is stored locally at the city's data center in the 911 Operations Center on a closed system and is not accessible to the public; police and authorized staff can request footage for investigations.

Commissioners asked about coverage, costs per camera and how this ties to downtown camera systems; staff said the new cameras match the technology installed recently on Broadway and expand the existing footprint. The board approved the municipal order by roll call; the motion passed unanimously.