New cameras in 3 Zebulon parks garner mixed reactions
Cameras are going up at three Zebulon parks, and some parents have concerns about how the data will be used and stored.
They’ll take still photos during the parks’ open hours. The director of parks and recreation Sheila Long said the cameras will be used, along with surveys and in-person events, to gauge usage and opportunities for improvements at the parks. The town is working with NC State University to help with analysis of the data.
“We are utilizing research cameras for the sole purpose of helping us understand park use: how often the park is being used, how many times of day, days of the week,” Long explained.
She said the cameras at Gill Street Park, Whitley Park and Zebulon Community Park are expected to be up until the end of September, giving the town roughly two months to collect data.
“Utilizing the research camera approach allows us to ensure that we can account for individuals in our community who may have barriers,” Long said.
She said the cameras are a way to gain perspective from communities where there may be language barriers or other challenges.
On the other hand, several parents have expressed their concerns with this new approach.
“Shortly after the signs went up at the parks…people started calling me and texting me, because they were concerned about their children being recorded, about almost like a ‘Big Brother’ situation,” town commissioner Shannon Baxter told WRAL.
She said she was aware of the research project but was taken off-guard by the use of cameras.
“I wish that we had had a little bit more of a dialogue before we moved forward,” Baxter said.
She said she worries about how the new technology might affect the parks in the meantime.
“I would hate to think that people are staying away because of the camera aspect,” Baxter said.
Long said this method of research is not new, and her department is confident the data stored will be safe.
“Cameras are not recording audio and video. It’s just taking photos. There’s limited access to the research cameras themselves. It is not for research for NC state or any other entity. It is just for the Town of Zebulon,” Long explained.
Baxter said that it seems many parents have taken issue with the fact that the cameras will be taking still photos.
WRAL asked why still photos were being used as opposed to video footage.
“I think it plays some into the concerns of the ongoing recording of what’s going on,” she said. She went on to note that finances played a role.
“The video would require a lot more higher-tech. We were tasked with being cost-effective,” Long said.
Baxter said she recognizes how the data will help the parks in the future and thinks better technology would be worth the investment, if the issue comes up again.
The cameras are scheduled to go up next week.
