Mayors announce new security monitors in vacant buildings
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. » Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy was joined by mayors from around the state to highlight the issue surrounding potential dangers posed by vacant and blighted buildings.
The cities will be evaluating the plan for the installation of new security monitors in vacant buildings to deter activity such as break-ins and incendiary fires.
The CASPER security devices are solar-powered and capable of fire andmotion detection that can immediately alert first responders. The acronymCASPER stands for Completely Autonomous Solar-Powered Event Responder.
“Vacant and abandoned buildings pose a serious public safety threat to many communities across the country,” McCarthy said. “Through code enforcement, demolitions, and rehabs, the complexity of these issues can take years to tackle. Meanwhile, neighbors are vulnerable to dangerous hazards posed by these buildings. These monitors have the ability to rapidly and proactively protect neighbors by alerting first responders to fires and trespassers.”
Accompanying Mayor McCarthy during the announcement were fellow Capital District mayors, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
“The City of Troy is observing the City of Schenectady’s pilot of the CASPER system. We are interested in the program’s capabilities and potential it has to assist in monitoring vacant structures, and will follow closely Schenectady’s progress to determine on possible deployment in Troy,” Troy Deputy Director of Public Information John Salka, stated, regarding the system.
In addition to the three Capital Region cities, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Binghamton Mayor Rich David will also be evaluating the CASPER devices.
“Wemonitor vacant and abandoned properties, but our real focus is helping cities protecting neighbors and first responders,” said Nathan Armentrout, Founder and CEO of CASPER Security. “Fires and trespassing can quickly escalate into dangerous situations and, until now, cities didn’t have a lot of options to quickly reduce the risk or improve safety in neighborhoods. CASPER Security gives cities a brand-new tool to help address safety issues that arise from vacant and abandoned properties.”