MTA to install additional surveillance cameras around Terminal Station

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Transit Authority is trying to make Downtown’s Historic Terminal Station safer by installing additional surveillance cameras.

“We need to repair some of the cameras and add additional cameras,” said MTA Business Development Director Andy Stroud.

MTA started accepting bids for the project to install more cameras about a week ago. Officials say their goal is to put a stop to illegal activity happening near by.

“Several cameras are needed on the interior and exterior,” said ECI Technologies owner Kelvin Ervin.

They’re hoping it’ll bring some life into what they call “dead spots” or areas without surveillance cameras.

“Dead spots are pretty much a blind spot,” Ervin told 41NBC. “Most of the dead spots we have found are in the back of the terminal station. We need to place some emphasis on that,” Stroud added.

A big concern is putting a stop to vandalism plaguing parts of the building.

“We found out that there might have been small cases of graffiti on the wall and there are some people who really hang out after dark,” said Stroud.

ECI Technology is one of the companies submitting a proposal. Ervin says in his expert opinion, they’re needed.

“You have people who may be in hiding and don’t want you to see them when you come out the door, so we want cameras in those areas,” he explained.

Stroud says their biggest priority is giving MTA employees a sense of security.

“Our employees park back there, our clients park in that area. We do have a lot of people who come in and out of our back door so we want o make sure that they are well protected also.”

There’s no word yet on a price for the project but Stroud says none of the money will come out of the authority’s operating funds. They’ll apply for grants in order to pay for the installations.

Monday was the last day MTA was accepting bids. MTA Chairman Craig Ross says it should be about two weeks before they have the numbers on what it will cost.