Surveillance cameras coming to Atlantic City boardwalk
The Atlantic City boardwalk. (Image: Silveira Neto via Flickr)
Eyes in the sky will be watching walkers and shoppers on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on Tuesday agreed to issue $11 million in bonds to install as many as 230 cameras on the Boardwalk. The cameras would be placed on poles where the walkway intersects with roads and on poles used for digital advertising.
“The CRDA’s unwavering commitment to Atlantic City’s ‘Clean and Safe’ initiative is again demonstrated by this effort, which brings an integrated system of high resolution video cameras to the Boardwalk corridor and adjacent city streets,” said Lt. Col. Tom Gilbert, commander of the Atlantic City Tourism District, in a statement.
“Facilitating uninterrupted ‘real time’ viewing access, the cameras will provide the Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) with an invaluable layer of 24/7 vigilance as it safeguards the thousands of visitors that come each year to enjoy the iconic Boardwalk, beaches and attractions,” he added.
The cameras will also be used by the company the operates the digital displays to gather demographic information about crowds that could be put to commercial use.
The Atlantic County Improvement Authority is funding the loan, according to a Casino Reinvestment Development Authority release. The bonds will be repaid from revenue generated by advertising, sponsorships, and more.
The camera system is a component of a comprehensive lighting and display initiative, which includes LED marine-grade light pole fixtures, high-resolution outdoor LED matrix screens along the length of the boardwalk, free Wi-Fi internet access, mobile device charging stations, and more.
“This exciting, state-of-the-art interactive program will be equipped to display important announcements, advertising, upcoming entertainment and events in the city, and will add to our visitor’s positive experience,” said CRDA Executive Director John Palmieri.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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