New Cameras to Improve Sugar Sand Park Safety

The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District said on July 27 that it is adding security cameras and a cellphone antenna booster system at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton. District commissioners approved the upgrades at recent meetings, according to a district news release and subsequent local coverage. The new cameras will be installed inside the science playground, while the booster system will be placed on the community center and the field house. Officials said the changes are aimed at improving safety coverage and helping emergency calls connect inside park buildings. ### Where exactly are the new cameras going? Sugar Sand Park's science playground is the focus of the camera expansion, the district said. Before the change, the only cameras covering that area were aimed at the entrance and exit, according to the district's July 27 announcement. The added cameras will give police a view inside the playground itself rather than only at the access points. (mybocaparks.org) Boca Raton's Sugar Sand Park is at 300 South Military Trail and includes a community center, carousel, Children's Science Explorium, Willow Theatre and field house, according to the city's park page. The park is one of the city's most heavily used family destinations, which district officials cited in explaining the upgrade. ### Who will be able to see the video feeds? Briann Harms, the district's executive director, said Boca Raton police will be the only agency with access to the camera feeds. "Only the Boca Raton police will have access to these camera feeds," Harms said in the district release. (mybocaparks.org) She added that the district was trying to meet safety needs while remaining "as minimally invasive as possible." (myboca.us) The Boca Raton Police Department already monitors the park's existing video security system, according to the district and TAPinto Boca Raton. The new cameras will tie into that existing system rather than create a separate monitoring operation, the reports said. ### Why is a cellphone booster part of the project? The district said the second part of the upgrade responds to complaints about inconsistent cellular service inside Sugar Sand Park buildings. (mybocaparks.org) A Sinewave rooftop antenna booster will be installed on the community center and the field house, according to the district. Officials said the system is intended to help emergency service calls go through from inside those buildings if needed. The district said the equipment will capture signals from nearby carrier towers and distribute them through amplification equipment and interior antennas. It is designed to work with major carriers including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile using existing 4G LTE and 5G networks, the district said. ### What have district officials said about the decision? Bob Rollins, chair of the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, said the park's role for local families was part of the rationale for the project. "We understand how important Sugar Sand is to families in our community," Rollins said in the district statement. (mybocaparks.org) He added that he was interested in ensuring "the best possible experience for our visitors." Local outlet TAPinto Boca Raton reported on July 30 that district commissioners had approved the upgrades at recent meetings and described the project as a response to both surveillance gaps and weak cell reception in parts of the park. That account matched the district's July 27 release. (mybocaparks.org) ### Where can residents follow the next public steps? The City of Boca Raton's agenda archive lists upcoming public meetings and posts agendas, minutes and video links on the city's website. The archive page says residents can watch meetings, review documents and contact the city clerk for current agenda materials. As of Aug. 6, the archive showed a Planning and Zoning Board meeting scheduled for Aug. 6 and recent City Council meetings on July 27 and July 28. (tapinto.net) The city's agenda page also lists the clerk's office contact information for residents seeking meeting materials or accessibility help. (myboca.us)