After weekend shootings supervisors urge joint action, consider camera ordinance for apartment complexes

The Adams County Board of Supervisors spent substantial time on public-safety concerns after a weekend that county officials said included multiple shootings tied to specific apartment complexes.

Sheriff (speaker 2) described recent incidents and urged a coordinated response with city police. “We need neighborhood stabilization projects,” the sheriff said, urging joint planning and outreach. Multiple supervisors and a public commenter urged the board to pursue ordinances requiring remote video surveillance or other security measures at apartment complexes where violence has concentrated (Cambridge Heights, Maryland Heights, Holiday Apartments were named in discussion).

Supervisors discussed practical steps: forming a joint committee with city officials and police, exploring funding to revive Project Safe Neighborhood initiatives, and drafting an ordinance that could require video surveillance and allow county remote access to footage in investigations. One supervisor asked for cameras to be required and for any ordinance to be drafted for board consideration within several meetings.

Board action: members agreed to draft an ordinance to address apartment surveillance and to convene a county–city committee to coordinate law-enforcement and community responses. No ordinance language was adopted at the meeting; supervisors directed staff to prepare draft language, estimates of cost and legal considerations for future action.

What’s next: staff and elected officials will draft ordinance language and report back with legal analysis and cost estimates, and supervisors indicated willingness to seek outside assistance or task-force partners if necessary.