In Harford County, Maryland, following the tragic murder of Rachel Morin, efforts are underway to enhance the safety of hiking along the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air.
Sawyer Bricker, a Foreman at KCI Communications Infrastructure, expressed pride in contributing to the initiative, stating, “If all of our work could accomplish helping keep people safe, I’m very proud to do it.”
Construction has commenced for the installation of a video camera system along the Ma & Pa hiking trail in Bel Air, where Rachel Morin lost her life nearly four months ago.
Matthew McMahon, Rachel’s child’s father, hopes that the newly installed cameras will act as a deterrent to prevent further attacks and spare others from the same tragic loss Rachel’s loved ones have endured.
Rachel’s body was found near the trail in a tunnel, with DNA evidence linking the scene to an assault case in Los Angeles. The absence of this technology at the time hindered the identification of the perpetrator.
Harford County Executive Robert Cassilly highlighted the advanced monitoring capabilities of the system, covering approximately two miles of the trail from Williams Street to North Tollgate Road. The system comprises 26 cameras strategically positioned in secluded areas.
Cassilly explained, “It picks up when one person either has a gun or a knife or that they have jumped onto somebody the AI reads that and then flags that camera,” emphasizing the system’s proactive surveillance features.
Upon detection of suspicious activities, 9-1-1 operators will be promptly alerted to take necessary actions.
For Susan Kemen, a former regular trail hiker, the presence of these cameras brings a sense of reassurance, potentially enabling her to resume solitary daytime hikes without fear.
The cameras are set to become operational in mid-February, capturing data that will be stored and made accessible to law enforcement authorities.
