Committee accepts City Vision Foundation grant to expand SafeCam network near Riverside Park

City staff described a donation from the La Crosse City Vision Foundation to support SafeCam 2, extending cameras along the south end of Riverside Park and potentially into the Riverpointe North District. Staff noted the 2013 partnership that created the initial downtown camera network and described the foundation as a 501(c)(3) that raises private funds for downtown public-safety and beautification projects.

Staff said ongoing storage/retention costs to the city are modest (an estimated $50 per camera per year) and that the city IT and police departments manage the infrastructure and occasional upgrades. Councilmember McCaleb thanked the foundation and highlighted the cameras’ role near the river, where staff said cameras had been helpful after drownings and other incidents. The committee approved acceptance of the donation, 5–1.