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Camera surveillance system installation underway at Sherman Hills [The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. :: ](Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 30--WILKES-BARRE -- Digits, more so than people, will provide security at Sherman Hills with the installation of a new camera surveillance system at the apartment complex that continues to be a hot spot for violent crime. The system will be made up of more than 100 cameras connected to the Internet, with a minimum of nine in each of the complex's buildings, said John VanMetre, director of property management for the Aspen Companies, an affiliate of Treetop Development in Teaneck, New Jersey. VanMetre this week provided an update on the security improvements since it was acquired in April for $15.8 million by Sherman Hills Holdings LLC, also a Treetop affiliate. "The camera system is the big thing," VanMetre said. He estimated it will cost at least $100,000 for the WiFi system that will allow the owner and police to view each camera from a smart phone. "This is easily the most extensive capital improvement project we have at any of the sites nationally," VanMetre said. The new system surpasses what had been in place and was not required as part of the sale, but it was "our choice based on what we felt will serve the property best in the long term," he said. The cameras at Sherman Hills have zoom capability and are more high-tech than those at the company's other properties across the country. Sherman Hills will have more cameras than the company's other properties, VanMetre said. Off-duty police officers will still patrol the complex and complement the camera system, he added. The previous owner, Sherman Hills Realty LLC of Brooklyn, New York, sold the property after coming under fire from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which threatened to cut off millions of dollars in housing subsidies unless improvements were made. HUD inspected the property in September and found lax oversight that resulted in tenants "experiencing possible life threatening security issues." The problems led to the creation of a task force headed by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, who toured Sherman Hills two weeks ago with VanMetre and others. But the problems have not gone away as police continue to respond to the 344-unit complex for reports of gunfire, assault and robbery and a machete attack that injured two men earlier this month. The former owner proposed improvements to lighting and the existing camera system, installation of an 8-foot high, chainlink fence around the property, closing of the North Sherman Street entrance, an armed guard patrolling the grounds and a gatehouse staffed around the clock at the North Empire Court entrance. Sherman St. entrance VanMetre said the North Sherman Street entrance will be closed and a gate installed for entry during emergencies. The proposed gatehouse dropped in priority and the concentration has been on the cameras. The issue "from the start has not been the one-time cost of the gatehouse, but the ongoing operational cost of manning it" with security personnel around the clock every day of the year, VanMetre said. The new fencing and the possible addition of the gatehouse stirred concerns from tenants. "Many have expressed they do not want to feel they live in a prison," he said. Claire Harris said as much during the Aug. 16 tour. "Every time I see the fence I feel like I'm in a concentration camp," Harris said. In place of the gatehouse two cameras have been mounted on the commercial building at the complex's North Empire Court entrance. Along with the other cameras, they will be connected to the Internet and capable of being monitored from digital devices, such as smart phones, VanMetre explained. Anyone who has a camera's Internet Protocol address, the numeric address connecting it to the Internet, can view it. "And yes, we plan to give the police a complete list of IP addresses and locations they serve as they are installed and running," VanMetre said. There will be no one monitoring the system at a central location, but the camera data will be stored digitally for review should there be an issue. "Over time, the concept of live monitoring could be considered if that is more effective than foot and car patrol," he said. VanMetre has kept HUD apprised of the changes with weekly written reports to the federal agency's Philadelphia regional office. The agency has visited Sherman Hills twice since the sale to check on the progress, VanMetre said. A detailed inspection is scheduled for late October when HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center will be on site for a minimum of two days to check all of the common areas and approximately 20 percent of the apartments. The units to be inspected won't be known beforehand, VanMetre said. ___ (c)2014 The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) Visit The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) at www.timesleader.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |