Lack of bidders delays public camera system

Nov 21, 2006 12:09 PM

A lack of bidders is holding up the purchase of a surveillance camera system supporters say could help reduce drug crime in a New Jersey neighborhood.
Elizabeth City manager Rich Olson says the city first sought bids for the surveillance cameras in June; however, no bids were received by the June 22 deadline, the Daily Advance reports.

Another round of bids for the system, estimated to cost $250,000, were solicited on Sept. 28. But at the bid opening, only one had been received -- one short of the minimum required for the bids to be considered, Olson tells the newspaper.

As a result, the city has mailed out a third round of bid requests. Bids from the responding vendors will be opened at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Although all bids will be considered, only one will be needed for the city to comply with the bidding rules for the camera system contract, Olson said.

Assuming there is at least one responsible bid on Dec. 7, Olson could make a recommendation about purchasing the surveillance system before the end of the year.

The City Council budgeted up to $250,000 earlier this year to purchase up to 40 surveillance cameras to help police monitor drug activity and other crimes in neighborhoods.

The type of camera system city officials envision would allow police officers to monitor activity from a video monitor mounted in their patrol cars.

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