Does it feel like someone is watching you?
For the past two months, as Anna Maria’s code enforcement employees stretched out in their new office space, there has been someone watching.
Since opening in June, the department has operated in rented quarters at 307 Pine Ave. The annex, with an available 1,920 square feet of workspace, is far roomier than the office the three employees shared in city hall.
Code enforcement assistant Carmela Sacca said people have had no trouble finding the office.
“Some people stop in just to see the place,” she said. “They love it. They think it really looks nice.”
The code enforcement department has room to spare — for now.
Mayor Dan Murphy announced at the Aug. 3 city budget meeting that the building department would be moving into the annex in October, bringing another three employees.
During the move-in, Murphy looked for a security system with cameras, similar to that at city hall.
“When you’re dealing with code enforcement, situations can get emotional,” he said. “And it’s good to have it on camera, if that happens.”
Murphy said cameras are a deterrent to criminal activity in or near the building.
Signs are displayed inside alerting visitors they are on camera.
From the entrance, visitors can view a monitor for four cameras, three of which are inside. The fourth camera is outside near the sidewalk.
Code enforcement manager Pam Gibbs declined to share a screenshot of the camera views, citing security concerns.
The outdoor camera appears to view the parking lot and public sidewalk.
Sacca said the code enforcement department has not yet had to review the videos for security issues, but they have that capability.
The lease agreement with Crescent Real Estate Holdings LLC, which began June 1, will continue through May 2021.
The city is paying $3,000 a month for the space, with annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index.
Murphy has said in the past that increased code enforcement costs are funded by the vacation rental registration fees.