Forest Park cameras a victim of red tape

From the Queens Tribune:

In 2013, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) announced that money was allocated to place NYPD security cameras in the park in response to crimes occurring that year, including an attempted rape.

The $250,000 project, which was done in conjunction with State Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Middle Village), aims to serve as a deterrent to crime in the park and help the local police precinct catch criminals if something does happen, Miller has said in the past.

While it was announced nearly two years ago, the plan has not yet become a reality, but appears to be happening soon.

Angel Vazquez, chief of staff for Miller’s office, said the cameras have to clear one more bureaucratic hurdle before they are placed in the park.

According to Vazquez, The Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, approved the cameras and now it must get the green light from Gov. Cuomo’s State Division of Budget.

The reason for the delay, Vazquez said, was over a small conflict in deciding who would pick where the cameras are installed. Because the money was allocated to be placed in a specific area, Vazquez said Miller’s office wanted control the NYPD, to make sure the cameras were placed in Forest Park instead of another part of the city. The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.