At least something good has come from the shooting. They've needed an upgrade in their security equipment for years. Kudos! Make it happen.
AIKEN --- Aiken's city council unanimously agreed Monday night to several proposals for tightening security at the H. Odell Weeks Activity Center in light of a recent shooting.
The May 17 shooting at the center off Whiskey Road occurred in the middle of the gymnasium during a pick-up basketball game. According to city officials, it was the first shooting at the center in its 25 years.
Antwon Reed, 18, of Aiken, was struck in the shoulder. No arrests have been made.
On Monday night, city council members gave City Manager Roger LeDuc authority to proceed with plans to implement a card-entry system, add security personnel and upgraded security cameras and install a call box system that would be connected to the Aiken Department of Public Safety.
With the card-entry system, city residents would be issued a free card to access buildings. A small fee would be charged for cards issued to those from outside the city.
"This will allow us to know who is in our gym, and those that have been put on trespass notice could no longer get into our buildings without our knowledge," Mr. LeDuc said in a memo to the city council. "Currently we have several individuals on trespass notice, but due to the number of entrances and doorways and lack of a security system these individuals could easily enter our gyms without our knowledge."
The center's main entrance will also be moved and all other doors will serve only as exits.
The council agreed to hire two part-time community service officers who would each work 20 hours a week, from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday when recreational centers are open.
The extra security will cost about $25,000 a year.
Upgraded security cameras will cost about $50,000.
The center has 27 cameras, but many don't have up-to-date resolution or wide-angle lenses.
Cameras also are planned for parking lots, playgrounds, the skate park, tennis center, soccer fields and basketball courts.
The call box system would allow people to call public safety from a walking track or tennis, basketball and skating areas should there be a security or medical emergency. The cost hasn't been determined, according to city documents.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.</p>
Comments
At least something good has come from the shooting. They've needed an upgrade in their security equipment for years. Kudos! Make it happen.
According to people like Baroness this place should be closed. At least that is the stance that she and other Naysayers took against the Augusta Mall, after some punk tried to run over his Ex. I am waiting to see if they are consistent.
The card system should be considered for all businesses. Banks (which have been hit hard this year) would definitely benefit. All businesses would benefit. Some banks in other countries also use the metal detectors which is a huge plus.
What a great plan..... So I will give my card to the person with a trespass order and gun in his pocket!!!
colcamp1 I didn't say Augusta Mall should be closed. It should be policed properly, and problems not ignored or discounted.
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