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Manteca getting wired
Two goals: Security & communications
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Manteca is about to get wired.

A $300,000 project to run a fiber optic cable from the existing Voice Over Internet Protocol phone system and computer network from City Hall to the $6.6 million transit station due to break ground in the next 12 months at Moffat Boulevard and South Main Street will be used as a springboard for other projects.

It will send real time signals from security cameras planned for the transit station back to the Manteca Police dispatch center as well as hook up surveillance cameras in several parks along the way - Southside Park and Library Park among them - as well as security cameras at select bus stops. The bus stops include City Hall, stops just west of Union Road on Yosemite Avenue, Mission Ridge Drive and South Main, Spreckels Avenue next to Target, Doctors Hospital at Cottage Avenue and North Street, and a stop on Northwoods and a stop south of Louise Avenue on North Main Street.

It is part of a long-range plan to make use of fiber optics and wireless systems to enhance security surveillance and possibly plug in visitors and residents alike.

To that extent, Councilman Steve DeBrum would like to see a kiosk-style computer set-up at secure places such as the Big League Dreams sports complex office lobby where Manteca visitors could go on-line and find out information about restaurants and then Google a map and directions.

“I’d like to see us explore (such a system) and potential locations,” DeBrum said.

He can also see the transit center developing such a secured kiosk. It would be easily accessible by visitors and residents who are in the downtown area.

One project DeBrum believes is worth exploring to see whether it is feasible is to set a computer up at the transit station lobby using Skype so a visitor could contact the Manteca Visitors Center located at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley and speak face-to-face with center staff or visitors to find out information about Manteca sights attractions, restaurants, stores, and things to do in the general area.

He also would like to see other potential locations considered and then have them incorporated in a plan to develop as money becomes available.

And in all cases, DeBrum said the kiosks would have to be secure. Both the transit station and BLD would have staff on premises when the kiosk would be accessible In the transit center’s case it would be the staff of the firm hired to run Manteca Transit. The BLD complex is staffed by that firm’s workers.

The $300,000 fiber optic project is being paid for by state and federal grants while a federal grant is paying the $145,000 needed for the security cameras at bus stops. State and federal grants are also paying for park surveillance cameras. Originally the $185,000 for the parks would have been just enough to put in a system and then cameras at the two parks. But having the fiber optic cable to connect with will stretch the budget to allow the police to put cameras in more parks.

The $6.6 million transit station is also being paid for by federal and state grants.