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6 Dr. Brown asked if there is a need for extra public access channels, and Mr. Barrick said public access programming is done on a first come, first served basis, and the current channel cannot serve all, especially religious programming. Dr. Brown said that perhaps Albemarle County meetings could be broadcast on an additional channel. Mr. Norris asked if staff is open to televising more meetings, and Mr. Barrick said yes. Dr. Brown said the Housing Authority may want their meetings televised. Mr. Paul Comes, local Director of Government and Community Affairs for Comcast, said that Charlottesville is part of the Blue Ridge area. He said Comcast is finishing up the local upgrade, and has done 200 miles of construction. He said more high definition television is being added, and video on demand will be offered. He said Comcast works with local agencies, including the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Scouts, the Toy Lift, and sponsors youth sports. He said they offer video and high speed internet to schools as part of the franchise agreement. Ms. Hamilton thanked Mr. Comes for Comcast being responsive during the switch over from Adelphia. She said she is seeing lower incidents of service complaints. She asked Mr. Comes to address concerns about the move to high definition. Mr. Comes said that if a customer does not have HD they will be offered a converter box. He said old televisions will still work. Mr. Taliaferro thanked Mr. Comes for meeting with him. He said he thinks things have improved. He asked about the different tiers of service. Mr. Comes said that in the City the broadcast only tier offers channels 2 – 22 or 23, the expanded 22 or 23 – the 60s, then digital and pay channels. Mr. Lynch said he hears requests for family programs, and suggested including a family tier above the basic which he thinks would do the community a real service. Mr. Comes said that there is the option for parental controls on the converter box. Dr. Brown said he hears complaints about the price, and asked if the cost of service is the same in other areas. Mr. Comes said that Comcast has had one price adjustment. He said in general the prices are the same. He said he will pass the comments about family planning up the line. Ms. Hamilton said she thinks the cost for basic service is inexpensive. REPORT : SECURITY CAMERAS Police Chief Tim Longo asked Council to allow staff to move forward with an RFP for security cameras in the downtown area. He said a policy has been developed and a lot of research information has been provided. He said cameras have been effectively implemented elsewhere in the community. He said he welcomes the support for more personnel, but is asking Council to respect his judgment and take the next step. He noted that he has 17 operational vacancies in the Department. He said cameras act as additional tools. He noted that Virginia National Bank has offered to buy a camera. He said the increases in crime in the City are in property crimes. Dr. Brown said the materials staff provided are excellent.