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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 16, 2005 City officials are considering how to stem the recent tide of vandalism in city parks, such as this damage done in west Medford�s Union Park. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Vandals eye local parks Officials consider camera surveillance to ward off damage By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Alberto Mesta says surveillance cameras in city parks wouldn’t bother him, but he just thinks they wouldn’t deter vandalism. "People steal in front of cameras all the time," said Mesta, 19, who regularly walks through Union Park up Prune Street to his grandmother’s house nearby. He said police supervision is the only way to curb city property destruction. "Where there’s police officers, there’s no criminals," he said. Union Park in west Medford is one of three city parks identified as a problem site. Donahue-Frohnmayer Park (at Spring Street and Springbrook Road) and Bear Creek Park’s skate park (on Siskiyou Boulevard) are the other two. Advertisement In July the City Council asked the parks department staff to consider installing surveillance cameras, which would be linked to the city’s wireless police communication network. "Vandalism’s been a real concern for some time now," said Medford Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Jerry MacLeod. "It’s something we need to look at real hard." The commission will consider park vandalism problems at a public meeting tonight. The commission advises the City Council on parks- and recreation-related matters. Although some communities rely on volunteer patrols to help keep public areas safe, since vandalism often occurs late at night, MacLeod suggests other options. And he wants tougher punishments. "I think we need to be looking at stronger penalties," he said. "If you’re a first-time offender or whatever, usually you don’t get a lot (in the way of punishment)." Often when the parks department is looking at buying amenities, he said vandalism resistance is a key consideration. "That should not be the deciding factor in selecting playground equipment," he said. Brian Sjothun, parks and recreation director, said graffiti is the most common form of damage. He said the parks department staff is calculating how much is spent annually on vandalism repairs in city parks to get a handle on the costs. He said surveillance cameras would likely run more than $7,000 apiece. Despite the damage, Medford parks are doing pretty well, he said. "There are vandalism problems in almost every park in America," said Sjothun. He said Medford parks have so many activities in them, which alone deters vandalism. "Our parks are very safe." IF YOU GO: What: Medford Parks Commission meeting When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday8/16. Where: Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Vandals eye local parks ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s