Township to Discuss Participation in Skywatch Surveillance Program

At its next meeting on June 26, the South Brunswick Township Council will discuss participating in a program that provides a platform for increased surveillance options during events that draw large crowds.

The "Skywatch" mobile observation towers are adaptable for cameras, radios, public address systems and other equipment that allows one police officer to cover a large area, according to the company's web site. The equipment could be used by the township through an agreement with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

However, township officials are skeptical that such a measure would ever be necessary in South Brunswick.

"The county bought this equipment for crowd control and we’ll discuss entering into an agreement that says if we want to use it then we could," said Mayor Frank Gambatese.

The platform provides a bird's eye view of large events with technology that's ideal for large-scale surveillance, according to "Skywatch."

"It has cameras mounted to scan the entire area to keep things under control," Gambatese said. "It's kind of like a big brother type thing and I've always been reluctant to use those."

With the Independence Day festival and National Night Out as the only two large-scale events that draw thousands of people each year in South Brunswick, Gambatese said he doubts such a need for the equipment would ever arise. 

"We have a couple large events go on here but we've never had any crowd problems," he said. "I don't know that police will see any need for it either. I don't see this as something we would use very often if at all because we don't have a problem with fights breaking out."

The Township Council's next meeting is scheduled for June 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the South Brunswick Municipal Building.

Does South Brunswick need to use a surveillance platform for large events? Tell us in the comments.