Security cameras have become so ubiquitous, we don’t even notice them.
So it’s not surprising that last week’s Photo Challenge — showing more than half a dozen cameras on top of a building — drew guesses of spots all around town.
The train station? Levitt Pavilion? Police station? Town Hall? No, no, no and no.
The cameras in question (click here to see) are located atop Joey’s by the Shore — the Compo beach concession stand. Andrew Colabella and Michael Calise — longtime and constant beachgoers — were the first 2 readers with the right answer.
But why would a beach restaurant need security cameras?
Andrew explained:
In the summer of 2016 there was a serious spike in vandalism, break-ins, driving on the beach, and illicit and suspicious activity. Lifeguard chairs were dragged into the water, Joey’s was broken into, and money was removed/stolen/missing from the gate.
In the past before that, boats had been burglarized and the lifeguard shack was broken into.
These cameras — along with many others strategically placed in and around the beach — record and are viewed by town employees in the Parks & Rec and Police Departments. The technological ability of these cameras is astonishing.
Since then, illegal activities have dropped dramatically.
So be cool out there. Big Brother — or at least the town — is watching.
Here is this week’s Photo Challenge:
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
If you know where in Westport you’d see this hand-sprayed “No Parking” sign, click “Comments” below.
And if you know why someone painted it there — in a seemingly legit parking spot — we’d like to know too!