'Additional eyes': LDDA is installing 14 security cameras through Downtown Lakeland

Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger
·4 min read

LAKELAND ― In the upcoming weeks, 14 security cameras will be added to Downtown Lakeland buildings to provide "additional eyes" on the city's sidewalks, streets and alleyways.

The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority will purchase the 360-degree cameras manufactured by Verkada, a San Mateo, California-based company, through local resaler Boring Business Solutions in Lakeland.

"The goal of those cameras is to decreased the undesirable behaviors that negatively impact our public and private spaces," Julie Townsend, LDDA's executive director, said at the organization's Thursday meeting.

Townsend said LDDA staff have approached several businesses and building owners about installing an exterior video camera over the past year. It's the agency's latest attempt to increase security measures across the downtown business district.

Tony Davila, LDDA's clean and safe manager, said the agency was attracted to using Verkada's cameras because the company offers 24/7 service and is the only company in the industry to offer a 10-year warranty. It allows unlimited users to have access to the 4K camera footage, which is stored in a cloud. The devices do not record audio.

Lakeland Downtown Development Authority will purchase 13 of Verkada's AI-enabled microsensor cameras that can provide 360-degree video surveillance of a location to be installed throughout the city's downtown area in the upcoming weeks.
Lakeland Downtown Development Authority will purchase 13 of Verkada's AI-enabled microsensor cameras that can provide 360-degree video surveillance of a location to be installed throughout the city's downtown area in the upcoming weeks.

"The cameras will assist businesses with video footage of any incidents or concerns they may have outside of their property," Davila said. "The cameras placed downtown will cover all public right of ways."

Business owners will be able to access the cameras' video footage for up to 30 days and save a portion or image related to any undesirable events. Each business or building owner will have access to the camera on their property, Townsend said. The LDDA, Lakeland Police Department and the city's parking services would have access to all cameras.

"This is all of us working together as a team and continuing to maintain the safety of the downtown area," Davila said.

There have been a number of incidents near Tsunami Sushi, 114 N. Tennessee Ave., according to Davila. Recently, the restaurant had its front and back doors vandalized, Townsend said, adding that the cameras would have provided real-time footage of the culprits in action.

'We don't sacrifice that': The Cultivated Pig is Catapult's first restaurant residency

The LDDA's plans for camera installation and use have been run by Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor and City Attorney Palmer Davis, Townsend said. She said they didn't have any legal concerns in terms of the camera's recording being a potential invasion of privacy.

"When in the public realm, you have no right to privacy," she said. "Chief Sammy’s comment was, 'The more cameras, the better.'"

It will cost the LDDA about $112,500 for the installation of the 13 cameras, associated hardware and software over the next 10 years. That's roughly $866 per camera per year. There are no ongoing software or maintenance costs.

The cameras are already used by several municipalities across the state, including Orlando.

This make of Downtown Lakeland shows the location of the 14 security cameras being purchased by the LDDA with areas that will be under video surveillance shaded in orange and purple.
This make of Downtown Lakeland shows the location of the 14 security cameras being purchased by the LDDA with areas that will be under video surveillance shaded in orange and purple.

Here's a list of where the cameras will be installed:

  • In front of Jimmy John's, 125 N. Kentucky Ave.

  • Behind Jimmy John's, overlooking the alleyway.

  • Top Buttons, 236 N. Kentucky Ave., overlooking Trader's Alley.

  • Traditions Unlimited, off East Pine Street and North Kentucky Avenue.

  • Madden Building, 238 N. Massachusetts Ave., overlooking the back lot toward Mitchell's Coffee House.

  • Palace Pizza, 114 S. Kentucky Ave., in front overlooking Kentucky Ave. and the alleyway.

  • Behind Palace Pizza, covering Terrace Alleyway with a view of the compactor.

  • Preservation Alley, to cover the length of the alleyway behind East Main Street.

  • Lakeland Lofts, 108 S. Tennessee Ave., to cover Main Street and Tennessee Avenue, including parts of Munn Park.

  • Behind The Loft on Tennessee Avenue, to cover both sides of Tennessee and Preservation Alley

  • Behind Tsunami Sushi, 114 N. Tennessee Ave.

  • Two cameras off Missouri Avenue and Main Street, unconfirmed

  • A dome camera in front of the LDDA office, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., overlooking Munn Park

Townsend said the LDDA has verbal agreements with all relevant building and business owners, many having met with Boring to talk about ideal locations for the cameras to be installed. She said she will be working with the city attorney to draft written legal agreements.

The cameras are expected to be installed at the rate of one or two per week, according to Townsend, as Boring's staff time permits.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Downtown Lakeland is getting 'additional eyes' with security cameras