Paulding County Project to Upgrade Silver Comet Trail Security

About a week after a local woman was brutally attack on the Silver Comet Trail in Paulding County, county leaders announced a plan to upgrade security.

The trail, which runs from Smyrna to the Alabama line, measures 18 miles in Paulding County and currently has three security camera locations. A proposed plan would expand that to more that 20 camera locations and add security vehicles.

The county said in a press release that Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge met with county leaders this week to discuss the need for enhancements to the camera system.

The news comes in the aftermath of an attack on Tina Waddell on July 29, during which she was beaten and severely injured while on the trail near the Vernot Aiken bridge.

Also on Patch:

>> Paulding Sheriff Sets Up Reward Fund in Silver Comet Trail Attack

>> Fundraiser, Bike Ride for Silver Comet Trail Attack Victim

>> Community Rallies Behind Silver Comet Trail Victim

>> Photos of Silver Comet Trail Victim Released By Family

>> Woman Severely Attacked, Beaten on Silver Comet Trail

Here’s a narrative on the proposal, submitted in the county press release:

Project Description

Currently, there are three locations along the entire 18 mile portion of the Silver Comet Trail located within the Paulding County boundaries that host security camera locations.

The proposed security upgrade project will be implemented in two phases:

Phase I – This effort will expand the existing security camera coverage to include approximately 21 locations with approximately 47 high resolution digital cameras. Also, two additional Silver Comet Trail patrol cars (smart cars) will be purchased to increase the mobile law enforcement presence on the trail.

Phase II – This effort will extend the existing fiber optic network to the east approximately two miles to the Cobb County Line (Isley Stamper Rd.) allowing for the addition of approximately 3 – 4 new camera locations. Fiber will also be extended to the west approximately three miles to Mount Olivet Road allowing approximately 7 new camera locations to be added.

Schedule

In terms of implementation, the preliminary planning work and the initial field reconnaissance for the Phase I portion of the security upgrade project have already been completed. Those participating in this effort included: David Austin, Commission Chairman; Gary Gulledge, Sheriff; Mike Jones, County Administrator; Michael Justus, Parks & Recreation Director; Chuck Rann, Government Services Director; Will Lyons, Information Technology Director; Corporal Mike Quinn, P.C.S.O.; Deputy Michael Reno, P.C.S.O.

More detailed location data, coordination of power utilities, fiber and existing utility locations, camera specifications and related work remains. We estimate full operational implementation of Phase I within the next 60 days.

The Phase II portion of the project will require a larger effort and longer timeframe to complete because of the absence of existing fiber and the more remote access to electrical service (to the west); however, we will begin this effort within the next 30 days and can provided a better completion and implementation schedule at that time.

Cost

While it is difficult to determine a specific project cost at the moment, we have used the information gathered as part of the preliminary planning effort to create a working budget. We will procure services and equipment through a competitive process and report these expenses as they become better defined. Based upon the anticipated scope of work for Phase I, we are requesting the Board of Commissioners approve a not-to-exceed budget of $275,000. This funding will come from the existing SLPOST funds dedicated for Parks and Recreational use.

It is too early to speculate on a defined not-to-exceed budget for the scope of work anticipated for Phase II, however, based on expected costs prepared for Phase I, we believe the level of effort for Phase II of this project to be between $300k - $400k.

Photo: (L-R) Chuck Rann (Paulding County Government Services Director), Sheriff Gary Gulledge (Paulding County Sheriff), and Michael Justus (Paulding County Parks and Recreation Director).