BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Bandwidth issues continue to plague a handful of security cameras around the village of Massena but a fix is in the works that should ensure all cameras are fully operational in the near future.

Donald Lucas, who resides on Richards Street, raised the question during the public comment period of the Aug. 20 village board of trustees meeting.

He asked if the cameras near the footbridge in the village were fully operational or whether bandwidth issues may lead to intermittent issues.

Olson confirmed the bandwidth issues have popped up from time to time.

Lucas said he was concerned about illegal activities occurring at the foot bridge near the park, saying he has seen individuals shooting up heroin on multiple occasions.

“I’ve seen them shooting up heroin. I’ve seen sex on the picnic table down there. I’ve seen them deposit dead dogs. They’ve deposited furniture. Now there’s a camera there and I’ve seen a lot of activities," Lucas said.

The news first came up during a Joint Recreation Department meeting the previous week, during which Recreation Director Mike McCabe said the cameras did not work as well as officials had hoped, due in large part to the bandwidth issues.

Despite extending an antenna in an attempt to provide more consistent feeds to the police department, officials say that was unsuccessful.

But the cameras have not deterred the activity in the area, Lucas said.

In another instance, Lucas said he witnessed an individual drop off a car that he said was later discovered to be stolen.

“The activities that go on down there are just amazing. But, the cameras don’t work half the time. Do we have an issue with the cameras that are installed in Massena and not having enough bandwidth to monitor them?" he asked.

Olson said the department is looking to address the issue but are currently under contract with "a certain company" at the moment. He did say the department would look to change companies to address the bandwidth issue soon.

“Most of the cameras are working, but inclement weather tends to knock out that WiFi signal. Right now I can tell you that most of them are working, but we are looking to change vendors when to address that signal issue," he said.