Folly Beach to Install AI Surf Cameras
Folly Beach has contracted with Surfline Coastal Intelligence, a California-based company, for the installation of new surf cameras. The city agreed to pay $76,500 for the cameras, which are designed to monitor beach health, according to Folly Beach Mayor Chris Bizzell. The cameras do not perform personal identification or facial recognition.
Surfline Coastal Intelligence is considering beachfront homes as potential locations for the cameras. Ten property owners have been approached to host the cameras. Of these, three have agreed, three have declined, and four have not yet responded, as stated by City Administrator Aaron Pope.
Andie Weathers declined the request to install a camera on her parents’ beachfront home. Property owners who agree to host the cameras would enter into a three-year contract with Surfline and would be responsible for providing electricity, which is estimated to increase their annual power bill by approximately $50.
The cameras are capable of counting the number of people on the beach or in the water. This data could be utilized by the city for state funding and grant proposals, Mayor Bizzell indicated.
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