New Bill Will Require Cameras at Entances to NY Parks

by M.C. Millman

New legislation has been introduced to require all state parks, campgrounds, and recreational facilities in New York State to have security cameras stationed at all entrances and exits.

State Senator Jim Tedisco, a Republican from the  44th State Senate, proposed the bill after it took 48 hours to rescue a nine-year-old kidnapped from Moreau Lake State Park.

 "We don't need the state to "study" or "review" the need for security cameras at our state parks and campgrounds," Tediscos stated on X. "We need them installed ASAP to keep all New Yorkers safe. My bill will do that."

Tedisco helped make New York the first state in the nation to put pictures of missing persons on Thruway Toll tickets. 

"What I've learned over the years in my legislative work to help find missing persons is that when an abduction occurs, seconds count, and time is of the essence and could make the difference between life and death," Tedisco said. 

Under the proposed legislation, cameras would be able to identify the license plate, make, and model of any car entering or exiting the facilities and record images of every person walking into or out of the grounds.

"This is vital public safety legislation to keep all New Yorkers who recreate in our state's 180 parks safe and more secure," Tedisco said.