More Security Could Be Coming To Prattville’s Parks
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CBS 8 is taking action against crime in Prattville — city leaders saying they’re tired of all the vandalism happening in their parks, so now they have a plan that hopes to deter crime and also make those parks a safer place.
The city of Prattville has 14 parks, but the only ones that have cameras are the splash pad here at Pratt Park and also Upper Kingston Park, but soon, cameras could be installed at every single park.
On the walking trails, in the parking lots and on the fields of Prattville’s 14 parks are lots of people, like Dwayne Medina — but barely any cameras.
“If they make the parks more secure, then of course, I would be going there,” Said Medina. “Because right now, anybody can rob other people and they won’t even notice.”
Our crew found Medina alone playing soccer at Prattville’s Upper Kingston Park, which had cameras installed four months ago.
Kellie Cook, Director of Parks and recreation says she saw a 90 percent decrease in vandalism there and wants to see the same at the other parks. It’s why a $35,000 camera system is in the works to make Prattville’s parks safer..
“Where are we trying to point [the cameras] to? Obviously, with our bathrooms we didn’t want any more vandalism, so we knew we wanted to point them on the outside so people coming in and going out… we would be able to see as they’re going outside. The walking paths — it’s very important for our citizens to feel like they can come out here,” Said Cook.
If cameras are added to the other parks, she says the city will save thousands of dollars in repairs from vandalism down the road. And with signs that say “Camera Surveillance,” Medina hopes people wont commit crimes at parks.
So whether you’re on your own or in company, everyone can feel safe…
“Definitely cameras for safety I mean, because you can’t trust anyone these days,” Said Prattville resident, Robert Broomfield.
The cameras will be installed at all of the parks only if the city council approves it in this year’s fiscal budget. So far, that budget item has not been taken out of the agenda.
If approved, the first cameras would be installed at Stanley-Jenson Stadium, Wetstone Basball Complex, Newton Park, then Mac Gray Park.
Installations could begin as early as October.
