An issue with vandalism at parks has prompted officials in Redmond, Ore., to upgrade the city's video security system.
Graffiti and vandalism has increased recently at parks in Redmond, the city said in a social media post Thursday.
"Crews with the City of Redmond City Parks Division have been faced with an increasing amount of vandalism and graffiti at local park facilities in the past few weeks, forcing them to alter work plans to respond to the damage," the city said in a Facebook post.
The city is preparing to make an expansion to its system of nearly 100 security cameras at various city facilities, KTVZ-TV reported. At a recent meeting, councilors approved a five-year contract with LTT Partners for up to $305,000 in cloud-based security camera hardware and software.
The city's 96 cameras are on more than a dozen different systems, and much of the hardware has exceeded end-of-life warranties, with limited functionality, KTVZ-TV reported.
The new system, due for completion by the middle of the year will add 97 new cameras and boost the functionality of 46 existing cameras.
The repeat vandalism is also creating an issue with the city's maintenance and progress on other progress.
“We have a large number of parks and other facilities our crews need to maintain,” PCF operations and maintenance manager Dusty Hood said. “When we keep diverting staff to handle these problems, it limits our ability to complete other planned maintenance projects the public wants to see done.”
Crews have responded to multiple incidents at Sam Johnson Park and American Legion Park in the last two weeks.
Redmond police officers routinely patrol park areas to be a visible presence in an effort dissuade people from vandalism.
"Unfortunately, it only takes a couple of moments for these acts to occur," the city noted.
The city is asking residents to help by reporting anything they see out of place or identifying individuals responsible for the damage.
