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Irmo town council considers new traffic cameras at Columbia Avenue

Council member Bill Danielson proposed the idea to help curb crime in the surrounding neighborhoods.

IRMO, S.C. — The stoplights in Irmo could look different in the coming months if town council approves the installation of new license plate reader cameras. 

It's something council discussed in a workshop meeting earlier this month. 

The four cameras would be placed on Columbia Avenue near Beacon Hill and outside of Carmel Commons.

"It will identify the automobile by the make and model. It'll also read the license plate tag and identify if it's been reported stolen or expired or whatever," Irmo Mayor Barry Walker said.

Bill Danielson, the council member who brought the idea to the table, tells News 19 he wants four facial recognition cameras within these neighborhoods, too. 

Irmo police would have access to camera data to track crime and address it with a closer eye.

Mayor Walker explains several instances of criminal behavior in this area have caused issues for years.

"A harsher approach, but a necessary approach because we just have to get that under control," Walker said. "People are vandalizing cars, people are walking through the paths at two or three o'clock in the morning, checking doors. And I mean clearly, if a teenager is walking down the path at two o'clock in the morning, that's not normal."

In addition to traffic cameras, Walker tells News 19 he wants cameras installed on the Harbison Trail, too. 

Council explains they want to cap the cost under $25,000, with each license plate reader camera costing approximately $3,000. But council adds they would like some funding help from the City of Columbia and Harbison Association, as well. 

If approved, and if the cameras are successful, Walker explains he'd like to see it expanded to Archers Court and Friarsgate Boulevard.

Irmo town council will discuss this topic more at length at their next council meeting on Tuesday night, April 18, at 7:00 p.m.

 

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