A recent break-in at the Autryville town hall has led the Board of Commissioners to upgrade its current security system.

At September’s meeting, the board discussed the break in of the building, which some board members believed may have been connected to some skateboarders in town who skate despite there being law against it in the small Sampson town.

So, town clerk Diane Autry and mayor Patricia Williams asked Gill Security Systems representative Alan Buffaloe to provide some ways that the company could upgrade its current system. Prior to the meeting, Williams noted, that Buffaloe did a tour around the building to see what could be done to fix the security.

At first, Buffaloe spoke of the motion detectors in the room, noting that whomever broke in had to have know about the motion detectors because they were not set off despite the glass being broken.

“Someone knew or they did a good job guessing,” said Buffaloe.

So, he suggested that the board put in a “glass break” that would set off an alarm if the glass is broken.

Buffaloe also suggested the purchase of another motion detector in another area of the room and one in the hall, where the break into drop box happened.

In addition, Buffaloe suggested the purchase a panic button in case Autry feels unsafe with someone in the building, which would cost an additional $34.80.

“With all of this, it will enhance your system” said Buffaloe.

He then listed that grand total for all of the improvements to be at $484.40.

As he finished, commissioner Mickey Spell asked the town clerk, “Diane, do you think the panic button is necessary.”

Williams answered, “It is probably something that she does not think about.”

With this, commissioner Jean Cooper stated that she felt that the improvements, including the panic button, were very reasonable in cost.

Listening, Autry replied, “I am glad to know I am worth $34.”

With this, Spell motioned for the board to accept Buffaloe’s proposal. It was seconded by Cooper. It was approved unanimously.

New camera system

However Buffaloe was not done with presentations. He also had a proposal for improving the security cameras at the town hall.

He explained that, after examination, he felt that two additional cameras with infrared capabilities to allow things to be seen at night. Buffaloe suggested that a camera could go near the drop box, since it was where the break-in took place and one on the parking lot as well.

In addition, Buffaloe suggested the purchase a DVR recording system that would allow up to 30 days worth “actual” events to be recorded. In addition, he noted that if someone wanted to watch what was going on at the building from home, a remote viewing option would allow it to happen for as little as $12 a month.

One of the commissioners, Spell, actually has this system, and Buffaloe showed the group of town leaders real-time footage of what was happening at his business at the very same time as the group huddled around Buffaloe’s computer.

Because of this technology, Spell explained, “I am able to know who is there and who is not there at all times.”

After looking through images of Spell’s business, Buffaloe then expressed the costs for the improvements to the camera would total $2.376.50.

The cost seemed to be a little more than the town wanted to consider at this time, so Spell suggested, “This may be something we could put in the budget for next year.”

However, they did feel it was necessary to replace the town’s old camera. However, the price for the camera was not listed.

With this, Cooper motioned for the replacement of the old camera, and it was approved unanimously.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.