A Hornell pedestrian underpass long known for R-rated "art" and other mischief is getting a functioning surveillance system for the first time in decades, according to city officials.
There has not been a working camera inside the Buffalo Street underpass opposite the police station since the last century, city officials said.
As a result, pedestrians using the underground connection between Buffalo and Canisteo Street travel a gauntlet of graffiti, vulgarity and vandalism as a matter of routine.
“The history of the underpass is kids go down there and spray paint whatever," Hornell Mayor John Buckley said. “Graffiti has been there since I was a kid, and I don’t think the cameras system has worked since I was a kid."
"Probably the early 1980s was the last time the cameras worked," the mayor added.
That's about to change.
Buckley announced at a July 12 Board of Public Safety meeting that the city will install new video surveillance in the underpass. The setup will include a series of cameras and microphones, and a speaker to allow two-way communication between the tunnel and police.
“So the person at the police department can effectively communicate back and forth if they see someone down there doing something they shouldn’t be doing," Buckley said.
Installation is expected to happen fairly quickly.
“Most of the equipment is in, it’s just a matter of coordinating the installation," Buckley said.
Hornell PD exploring funding for more cameras across city
Unconnected to the underpass, Hornell Police Chief Ted Murray and Buckley said the department would like to bolster its city-wide camera system, which is not currently operational.
“We had a camera system years ago, but it is outdated,” Murray said.
Murray said the police department favors placing cameras in locations that would assist in its public safety role.
"Having a new, modern system in place will not only benefit the work of the police department, but will enhance public safety as the cameras will serve as a deterrent to crime. Our goal is to not only replace the old cameras, but to have additional cameras placed in key areas of the city including Union Square Park," Buckley said.
Earlier this month, Hornell detailed plans for a $188,000 state grant it received for key law enforcement improvements, including two new patrol cars, multiple solar radar traffic signs and upgraded equipment like new radios, tasers and work stations.
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More state grant funding is expected to be available down the line, according to the city, and a new camera system is a top priority.
"We are preparing another grant application to cover this cost," Buckley said.
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