Ottawa to add 13 surveillance cameras to monitor parks

The Ottawa City Council on Thursday approved the purchase of 13 surveillance cameras to be used to monitor city parks against vandalism.

The council approved the expenditure of $42,250 to Fox Valley Fire and Safety in Elgin. The cost will be split between the Parks and Recreation and the Ottawa Police departments.

Unfortunately, there’s been a lot of vandalism at the parks. We’re spending way too much money on parks to have kids, teenagers come along and destroy them.

—  Ottawa Commissioner Marla Pearson

Ottawa Chief Brent Roalson said the new cameras, which have a 360-degree view, will be monitored by his department’s dispatch center.

He said the city currently has 12 such cameras, but those primarily are used for reading the license plates of cars suspected to be involved in a crime. He said police have had success with them and believe the new cameras will help keep children safe, the parks free from vandalism and track suspects in the area of parks.

“Unfortunately, there’s been a lot of vandalism at the parks,” Commissioner Marla Pearson said. “We’re spending way too much money on parks to have kids, teenagers come along and destroy them.”