[click each image for a larger view]
Over the last few weeks I have noticed an increase in the number of instances of vandalism, graffiti and tagging at the MVTA’s flagship $21 million transit station in Apple Valley. While Apple Valley’s Mayor Mary once noted that the $21 million transit station has “piqued the curiosity of residents,” it has also piqued the curiosity of taggers and vandals looking to exploit its $98,700 security camera system.
As you can see from the four instances of graffiti/tagging and vandalism above, Apple Valley’s newest transit station is suffering from some serious issues in police/security coverage and attempted prosecution of individuals committing these crimes. While the MVTA has posted signs noting lot is under surveillance, it’s only 50% true.
After reporting the four instances seen above to the MVTA I contacted them and asked them a serious of questions about the cost and use of the video surveillance system, the MVTA’s attempts to bring the vandals to justice, and what they plan to do in the future to keep these sort of events to a minimum (I have edited the MVTA’s responses for length but you can view them in their entirety here):
Q: What was the original intention of installing the cameras being that they are of little use in prosecuting offenders?
A: Even if the cameras had captured the vandal in the act of spray painting or tagging the column and wall, the video may or may not have assisted in identifying and charging the person, and most likely would not have resulted in prosecution by local authorities.
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They’re right, the video evidence may not help bring the criminals committing these offense to justice but it’s clear from their response that they have done nothing to even try. Being that the Apple Valley Police Department is even using a blog to try and disseminate photos of suspects committing crime in the city in an attempt to bring them to justice, you would think an attempt would at least be a start.
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Q: The most recent report of defacement I reported was right under two cameras (presumably one points towards the door and the other towards the garage). Being that this particular placement was clearly in view of the cameras and should be able to spot those at fault I would like to see /all/ of the video feeds provided to the AVPD as part of the MVTA’s police report on these issues.
A: The defaced areas were repaired, and MVTA staff continues to monitor the site for vandalism and crime. In the case of the graffiti in question, the cameras are recording the drive lanes into and out of the parking deck, they are not recording the exact two locations where the vandalism was found.
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Robin Selvig, the MVTA’s Customer Service Manager and the person tasked with responding to my inquiry ignores the two other acts of vandalism to which I refer in the e-mail. The photo above which shows the AVTS sign and the anti-Semitic hate speech, is covered by two cameras and there is absolutely no way that these two cameras (based on their locations direct adjacent to each other on the ceiling of the open-air skyway between the AVTS and the parking deck) are covering the in and out lanes. Ms. Selvig is clearly confused due to her misunderstanding of the layout of AVTS’s surveillance system. While she informed me in a prior e-mail that she contacted their Facilities Manager to answer some of the questions, it’s clear that she should have put me in direct contact with that individual so that I could have my questions answered properly and factually instead of in Public Relations-speak.
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Q: Are there plans for increased patrols either by the AVPD or MVTA staff?
A: The MVTA hired a student for part of the summer to be on site during afternoon peak-period hours to patrol the site. We have also gotten information on the cost of hiring off-duty Apple Valley police officers. Unfortunately, funding is an issue. Customer service, operations and facilities staff are on site periodically during the day and week.
Additionally, we are awaiting a proposal from the original signage manufacturer to replace all the ‘stud-mounted’ signage (built and installed per the architect’s specs) with ‘flush-mounted’ signage that will be more difficult to deface and/or remove.
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Now, I have already informed the MVTA of my comments regarding the student they hired to “patrol” the site. The individual, in my numerous times seeing him throughout the summer, would stand between the AVTS’s skyway over Cedar and the parking deck and make certain the door was open for people exiting one skyway and entering the other. He served no security function as he was never in the parking deck where the majority of the vandalism occurred nor was he ever even facing the parking deck.
I also find it hilarious that Robin Selvig claims MVTA operations and facilities staff patrols the site “periodically” as it is my own reports of the vandalism which prompted their clean up and not those of anyone in the MVTA. It’s not as if I was going out of my way to notice these things as I was only taking my usual routes through the parking lot/deck to and from the bus when I came across these problems. If the MVTA’s “periodical” sweeps were often enough we wouldn’t even be talking about this now.
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Overall I am disgusted with the MVTA’s handling of this situation and their lack of appropriate use of a near $100,000 surveillance system. While they feel that spending $80 to clean up the vandalism (plus whatever it will cost to replace and upgrade the signage so it can’t be as easily removed in the future) is a much more worthwhile expenditure than actually utilizing the very expensive camera/DVR system at the Apple Valley Transit Station, I believe they are wasting more of our money than necessary.
While my request to see the video feeds from the cameras in the transit station were ignored I already have a followup request to view them. I want to see what $98,700 worth of video equipment looks like. While I am not a surveillance professional I have a feeling that if I viewed the cameras, knowing where the subsequent graffiti ended up, I’d be able to tell in an instant if it was at all worth the taxpayer’s money to install the system in the first place–especially when it’s not currently being used for anything which it should be.
What do you think about the vandalism at AVTS and the MVTA’s response to it? Do you think that they should be doing more to be proactive about this problem or is fixing the issues, as they are reported by the public, a much better option? Is the $98,700 video surveillance system underutilized? Whatever you have to say about this go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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September 27th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Bunch of kids and hoodlums with too much time on their hands and no direction in life. Glad I moved away from those bad motherf*ckers in Apple Valley.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:50 am
I would like to know exactly what the cameras are being used for?
Also, I think that prosecution is an important part of prevention. If gas stations did not prosecute drive offs and stores did not prosecute shop lifting, it would be even more common than it is currently. The people doing this have no fear at all of getting in trouble, because they know nobody is even taking the time to look at the cameras.
I hope that the level of crime does not escalate.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Chad,
According to the MVTA’s response, “Passenger safety is the primary purpose of surveillance cameras installed on buses or at transit stations by the MVTA.” You can take that with as much salt as you see fit.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:57 am
100% logical. Passenger safety is the primary purpose of seat belts installed in cars or trucks by car companies worldwide.
As with seat belts, the surveillance equipment only provides safety if properly used.
I was going to use condoms as my example, as it seemed more fitting based on the pictures, but decided to stick with seat belts.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:18 am
More wasteful spending of our tax dollars with the intent to protect the assets that consumed massive amounts of our tax dollars. Then when it comes time to provide the security, deterrent of vandalism and other intended benefits of this spending, all accountability and responsibility is abandoned. Well done MVTA!
September 27th, 2010 at 10:10 am
I should think that you not only should be allowed to view the video setup, but also request to review previous video recorded footage. Anything that is recorded with that system should be public data, as such you should be given access to it.
That they continue to mis-manage that facility, and that they choose to continue to lay the blame on funding is not a shock. The MTVA doesn’t seem to take their responsibility to the public, in all the facets, serious. That is the impression that their actions or lack of actions and their mouth piece leave.
September 27th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Mikeh, I wasn’t told I couldn’t they simply ignored my request.
September 27th, 2010 at 10:24 am
As a heavy MVTA user, this is really annoying. If you’re going to pay for the cameras, use them! Department stores routinely prosecute $20 thefts and I guarantee the effort required to reverse the damage at AVTS is more than $20.
September 27th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Time to file MN Data Processing Act Request? I would think that should apply to the MVTA.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=13.03
http://www.rcfp.org/ogg/index.php?op=browse&state=MN
September 27th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Joey, the documentation provided claims $80. But being that Robin Selvig continued to talk about “two” incidents and not the four I reported, I’m guessing it would be more like $40/instance. Thus it would be well above the $20 threshold enacted by retail outfits.
September 27th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Mikeh,
I have a followup request into the MVTA about viewing the DVR feeds. Because they claim it would be cost prohibitive to archive these to external media I told them I’d be more than happy to show up at the AVTS in person and view the DVR feeds in person which would be of no additional cost to them during one of their “periodical” sweeps of the grounds. Roll it all into one right?
I’ll update everyone when they respond (something which has been taking longer and longer for even what I consider to be minor requests because they feel the need to delay the eventual release the public while crafting PR responses to me and then for release to the mainstream media to counteract the actual facts reported here).
September 27th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Retailers pursue even “petty” thefts as a deterrent, and so should the MVTA.
As a separate issue, I don’t think they should allow you (or any non-law enforcement person) to view the DVR feeds without a subpoena. We know your intentions are honorable, but they have no way of knowing whether you’re investigating taggers or planning your own crime/terrorism spree.
September 27th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I have a stupid question. What is the purpose of the gang sign in the terminal? I mean, I can CONJECTURE what it’s for: I raised three boys and I know all about pissing on trees. IS there a purpose, or is it all about pissing?
As for department stores prosecuting, well, some do, some don’t. I know for a fact Costco lets people go they catch stealing. It just costs too much to prosecute them. I know, I know, I don’t agree with it, either.
I’ve used the transit center several times, but last Friday the place gave me the wiggins, for some reason.
September 27th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
You are kidding right? Regardless of the form, the video recording of a public location using equipment paid for by public dollars belongs to the public. And as a member of the public you have the legal right to view that data within the rules laid out by the State government.
I’m not sure how easy it is to get data from Ramsey County (knowing the Sheriff there, my guess is it isn’t easy.) but they do make some of their cameras available to the general public on the web:
http://www.ramseycountysheriffwebcop.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=82
September 27th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
At the BTS on Hwy 13 & Nicollet we have empty liquor bottles littering various parking ramp support posts. I’ve cleaned up many of them, but they keep re-appearing, along with empty McDonalds & Burger King bags & trash. Apparently the burgers go well with cheap red wine and tequila. I’ve brought my garage broom over and cleaned up several piles of broken glass blocking parking spaces. I give the MVTA a couple days to do something, but they never do. Recently a broken underground water sprinkler poured water continuously into the lot for a week even though I left a message trying to tell someone about it. Oh well.
September 28th, 2010 at 5:01 am
I rode the bus from BTS yesterday, and saw a collection of liquor bottles by one of the parking ramp pillars. Very strange.
September 28th, 2010 at 7:42 am
[...] Lazy Lightning: Apple Valley’s plans to combat vandalism at the transit station [...]
September 28th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Would it be that hard for the local police to swing through once in awhile and see who is lingering around the place after hours?
September 28th, 2010 at 8:37 am
Chad, the ironic thing is that the AVPD seems to utilize the Holiday station across the street as their regular coffee break hangout. You’d think the entire area around that station would be devoid of all criminal activity.
September 28th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Michele wrote:
Sweet! Thanks for the info.
On a completely separate note, when is the Burnsville Costco opening?
September 28th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Mrs Marcos, I just drove by the Costco and there’s quite a lot of work left. By Burnsville City Government standards, that’s fully finished and worthy of a large financial award for early completion but to the rest of us, it looks like a few weeks yet.
September 28th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Ohhh I hope there will be a photo opportunity. Will you be presenting the CRETIN award or something else special for this prestigious award event?
Does Costco sell spray paint? I have some unfinished penile art to complete.
September 28th, 2010 at 11:10 am
September 28th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Oh, that is brilliant. Can we frame this and present it at the next city council meeting? It would have to be entered into the official record.
September 28th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I know posting this here pretty much screws any opportunity of really doing this, but can you imagine a classic April Fool’s joke???
Getting on the City Council Meeting Agenda presenting a very serious sounding award from a very serious sounding made-up organization to the Mayor and Council with absolutely no explanation of what it is and watching Thisweek et al run with the story.
“Good afternoon Mayor and Council. I’m here on behalf of the Business Organization Group of the United States to present you, the Burnsville City Council, with the Meritorious Award Distinguishing Excellence in Useful Programming, Certificate of Regional Achievement in Programming.
This prestigious award dignifies you as worthy of the organization’s highest honor, and confirms that you have met the rigors of our extensive vetting process.
We also hereby proclaim April 1, 2011 as Business Organization Group of the United States’ ‘Driving Unparalleled Municipal Business Achievements of Special Status’ Day in honor of the Burnsville, Minnesota Mayor and City Council.
September 28th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
According to my “sources,” Costco opens roughly a week before Thanksgiving.
And, Mrs. Marcos, if they DO sell spray paint for your penile art, it would come an economy pack, probably a set of three cans. Any further comment on this would just be too obvious.
You’d think having the Holiday across the street, and the AVPD patronizing it, would discourage criminal traffic. When my youngest worked at Carmike, he had to confront – and evict – a group of teenagers looking for a kid they had some issues with. My son was 17. I came to pick him up at close, and there were cop cars sealing the place off. My son was okay, and in fact he was up on the roof at the theater, watching the show. There had been shots fired at the old MTVA station. He saw my car, circling the block, trying to find a way in, and he said, “Crap! There’s my mom! She probably thinks that I’m dead!” He wasn’t wrong.
That’s what I’ve got to say about the police presence in Apple Valley.
October 1st, 2010 at 11:06 am
I live in Apple Valley and go to East View and nobody here even know this is going on, ya our school has graffiti but it doesnt hurt anybody…
October 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
P-Dawg,
Clearly the graffiti is affecting Eastview’s students’ basic grammar skills.
October 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Heh.
October 1st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Eastview has graffiti and it’s just left up there? Also, Bill nailed it about the grammar. Looks like Eastview might have regressed more than I thought compared to when I graduated from there many moons ago.
December 21st, 2010 at 8:36 pm
As a recent convert to mass transportation, I felt it my duty to report two recent vandalizing incidents I was witness to.
#1 I believe it was last night when I was coming home or possibly this morning on my way in, in one of the elevator lobbies someone had removed the fire extinguisher and discharged it onto the floor (and left the extinguisher out…I guess putting it away would lower the coolness value of the vandalizing act). My guess would be that it was my morning trip because otherwise I would have stopped to snap a picture.
#2 And this one is admittedly petty on my part but it irritated me. I was riding the elevator up to the skyway on my way home tonight and while I was in the elevator with someone that usually rides with me on the evening run, the elevator alarm went off and totally startled us! Only to have the announcement inform us to bring our gently used items to donate to charity! Now, I’m all for charity but that scared us and really, you couldn’t hang a couple of notices? (auditory vandalism!?)
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:38 am
The Apple Valley Police Department has a posting regarding theft at the AV Transit Station:
http://applevalleypolice.blogspot.com/2010/11/mvta-theft-suspects.html
It’s been interesting to see how long that the clock in the northbound lobby stays up. It’s been removed at least twice (presumably stolen) – I think the original was up for quite a while before it went missing, but the replacement was taken down within a couple of weeks. You would think after being taken once someone might come up with a good idea to permanently attach the clock to the wall…
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:48 am
ACLR: http://www.lazylightning.org/why-the-mvtas-security-cameras-are-useless#comment-76277