The City of Batavia will significantly increase its surveillance measures in 2025, adding 55 new cameras to public sites downtown and key city-owned facilities.

The move aims to enhance security and safeguard municipal assets, though concerns about cost and privacy have sparked debate among City Council members.

Key points:

• New cameras: The plan includes 29 new cameras in downtown areas and several others at public works facilities and other buildings, nearly doubling the total to more than 100 cameras across town. You can view a map of the covered areas in this document.

• Cost and management: The contract with Scientel Solutions totals $342,173.87, with an annual $24,240 service fee increasing by 3% yearly.

• Council and reaction: The decision passed in a 10-1 vote, though concerns were raised about the necessity and scope of the surveillance. One alderman called it “a waste of money.”

• Privacy issues: Footage will be retained for 30 days and is subject to public FOIA requests.

According to Alderman Dustin Pieper’s personal newsletter, the city also reached an agreement with the Park District to install parts of the system on Park District property around the Depot Pond area downtown.

Learn more in this Shaw Local article.

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