Zelie to install security cameras to curb vandalism
ZELIENOPLE — Council leaders plan to spend nearly $26,000 on 34 security cameras to reduce vandalism and other crime in the borough.
According to Don Pepe, borough manager, about a half dozen acts of vandalism have been reported in the Zelienople Community Park over the last six months.
“It seems rather senseless in terms of why it’s being done, and how much, but it’s a lot,” Pepe said. “And in this particular environment, although we don’t like to ... spend money for this, we have to.”
In one case, vandals destroyed the women’s bathroom by the park’s basketball courts, tearing the place apart, he said.
“It is unfortunate that we are in a situation where we have to do more surveillance relating to damages that are being done in various parts of the borough,” he said.
Initial costs of the cameras and installing them would amount to $52,000, but because the borough can receive a 50% police discount, that price will drop to $26,084, Pepe said.
“They’re going to have a control center at the police station,” said police Chief Jim Miller. “It’s all cloud-based, or internet-based, so we can pull it up on the internet.
“And we’re using Guardian for our law protection, because they’re our security provider at the borough building here,” Miller said. “And they’re combining with Armstrong, which is our internet provider. ... So they’re kind of all interwoven together.”
Miller said the borough will install about 10 cameras at the park, some others at locations where major community events occur, and others at Zelienople’s municipal parking lot. That parking lot’s south side often draws suspicious activity, he said.
“Damage at the park has been going on for years and years and years,” said Councilwoman Marietta Reeb.
“Not to go back on the parents, because it’s the kids that need to learn,” she said. “When they damage, they have to fix it.”
The borough already installed security cameras and license plate readers around Main and New Castle streets, Miller said. These cameras have proved effective at helping catch six hit-and-run suspects and three retail theft suspects, Miller said.
Business owners are happy with the cameras’ placement there, Miller said.
“The only way to stop the damage is to identify the culprits and to be able to deal with that,” Pepe said.
