Grand Rapids Community College spent an estimated $225,000 to install 148 new security cameras to better survey the campus and capture any crimes that may occur.
According to GRCC’s Director of Marketing & Communications Lyndsie Post, the cameras were installed in addition to the – pre-existing cameras across GRCC’s campus, including all buildings and parking ramps.
“There were roughly 60 cameras on campus before the upgrade,” Post said. “Cameras were installed on both the Grand Rapids and Holland campuses.”
In terms of a decision process for the location of the new cameras, the college utilized a team of experts to decide what would be best.
“A team of cross-campus individuals worked together with the experts in the field to identify the locations,” Post stated. “We initially replaced all pre-existing cameras, then prioritized entry points, high traffic and potential problem locations.”
The installation of the cameras was funded by a grant and carried out by Challenger Technologies.
“The project was awarded to Sentinel who subcontracted the installation to Challenger,” Post stated. “We had representatives from our IT (information technology) department that worked with the contractors throughout the project. Our GRCC project manager was Jeff VanderVeen, who did an incredible job keeping us on task and moving forward.”
Improved campus safety was a main motivator for the camera installation.
“Surveillance cameras have been shown to help deter criminal activity as well as to provide real-time overview of the areas covered by the cameras.” Post stated. “Information obtained through the use of the camera system can aid in the investigation of complaints, help with resource allocation and be used as evidence.”
To ensure the cameras will work properly, Post added “This camera system has internal automated notifications if a camera goes offline as well as notifications if it detects tampering. In addition, the cameras are monitored in the police dispatch area when the campus is open.”
