Mount Holly Adds Cameras Along Greenway Amid Safety Concerns

MOUNT HOLLY,  NC — Nil Ozcan and her dog walk five miles every day along the Riverhawk Greenway at Tuckaseegee Park. That walk can be a mix of serenity and anxiety.

“There’s always stories about what happens in the trails. You always have to be cognizant,” said Ozcan.

Now, those walks are being watched by the Mount Holly Police Department.

“We just want to make sure that everybody’s safe and they’re comfortable when they come to Mount Holly,” said Mayor David Moore.

The city installed five cameras along the trail after members of the community voiced their concern over safety.

“We’ve had a couple of incidents because people tend to get a little close,” Moore said.

The cameras stream video to the Mount Holly Police Department. Allowing police to access live or old footage as needed. It comes at a cost of about $20,000.

“It always impacts any girl that walk (on the greenway),” continues Ozcan, “they (woman) will tell you that this was the best way to spend the city’s investment. For sure. Safety comes first.”

About 33,000 people visited the greenway last year. Mount holly police say they patrol the area four times per day.

The mayor says the city plans to add more cameras as the greenway expands.