No, Georgia Power Isn't Installing Security Cameras On Power Poles

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- It sounded like a promising way to crack down on crime in Sandy Springs neighborhoods: Georgia Power would be installing security cameras on power poles to help catch the criminals in the act.

District 5 Councilman Tibby DeJulio, who said he's had quite a few residents question what can be done to combat crime, announced the news during Tuesday's City Council meeting. The cameras, he was told by a resident, would provide high-resolution surveillance of neighborhoods.

But, the revelation was too good to be true; Georgia Power's plan isn't exactly what DeJulio had in mind.

John Kraft, a spokesperson with the company, said Georgia Power is preparing to offer a new service in the spring that would mount security cameras on lighting poles they own on private property.

"In other words, these are poles with lighting only, that Georgia Power has installed for business customers on their private property," he said. "Not the poles you might see on streets that carry electric wires and equipment."

Tuesday's discussion triggered a barrage of questions and concerns from city leaders. City Manager John McDonough noted he was not sure how the company's plans would work with the city's policy, which already allows for the placement of security cameras on telephone poles.

City Attorney Wendell Willard said any sort of program would require Sandy Springs, as well as other local governing bodies, to revise their franchise agreements with Georgia Power.

Kraft said Georgia Power's program would be similar to its outdoor lighting offerings: it would own and maintain the equipment for a monthly fee and provide a video feed to the customer. However, Kraft noted the cameras would not operate as a security monitoring system.

Additionally, the videos will not come through Georgia Power's system, but would be sent to a video recorder on-site or to cloud-based storage based on options the customer chooses. The customer would own the data, he added.

The service will initially be offered to Georgia Power commercial customers.

"While the program only involves mounting systems on poles on private property, we will work with local governments to ensure compliance with any laws and codes," Kraft stated.

Pilot programs associated with the plans are being tested, but the service has not launched formally.

Several security-camera, communications, and storage options will be offered, including a cloud-based storage option that will allow customers the option to share video data with local police departments.

"While we are studying a potential offering to city governments for installation of security cameras on electric utility poles in the future, no launch of that type of expanded service is anticipated at this time," Kraft said.

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