Crime & Safety

Lacking Maintenance Leads to Failing Security Systems at Fire Stations

Security cameras and related software are out of date and beginning to fail at all four township fire stations. This will cost the township $9,575 to fix now and possibly more in the future.

What began as an effort to upgrade security cameras at the township’s four fire stations has now revealed what trustees believe to be a township “health and safety issue” requiring immediate action.

On Feb. 8, Macomb Township Fire Chief Robert Phillips brought it to the attention of trustees that the camera security system currently in use at all township buildings, including the four fire stations, had not been properly maintained and serviced in recent years. The last support agreement for the repair and maintenance of the system had even expired in 2007.

As a result of this neglect, the camera systems at all four fire stations have progressively begun to fail, with the system at Fire Station No. 2 currently in a semi-inoperable state.

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On Phillips’ recommendation, trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to purchase $9,575 worth of software and equipment to return the system to full operation. However, these upgrades will not impact camera memory and resolution, which were the initial concerns that lead to the discovery of the failing system. 

While all four cameras work, the associated computer software is outdated, meaning slow operating times and limited memory for the entire system. In the case of Fire Station No. 2, it has now become impossible to review any memory.  

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Phillips said ideally, he would like camera systems at the fire stations to hold anywhere from 60 days to six months of memory. Fire Station Nos. 1 and 3 can only hold up to 14 days of memory, while Fire Station No. 4 can hold up to 60 days.

To resolve this problem in the short term, the township will need to purchase new software for all township camera systems–a $6,375 cost. But because the four fire station computers on which the camera systems currently operate cannot use the Windows 7 system that the new software requires, new computers will also need to be purchased. Four computers for the four fire stations will run approximately $3,200.

Phillips stressed to the board that this $9,575 cost will only cover these immediate repairs and more funding will likely need to be allocated in the future to bring other township buildings up to date and continue maintenance on the system.

In response to this and other issues stemming from out-dated and inadequate technologies in the township, the board has ordered an independent audit of the township's Information Technology systems. The results of this audit are scheduled to be presented at the March 14 board meeting.


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