Local Park To Install Surveillance Cameras

ThePittsburghChannel
Nov. 02, 2005

BRENTWOOD, Pa. -- At the Brentwood Park, not far from the high school, a group of vandals decided to burn pieces of the playground.

That was the last straw for police and park officials.

Now, they want to catch the vandals in the act by catching the culprits on camera.

"We don't have the manpower to place an officer down there 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Chief Robert Butelli of the Brentwood Police Department.

So, multiple surveillance cameras will serve as extra sets of eyes on the Brentwood Park for police.

Vandals struck as recently as Monday night, pouring gasoline before burning a bridge.

The Parks Department says it is tired of cleaning up the costly mess.

"They're down there on a pretty regular basis removing picnic tables, trash barrels from the swimming pool, overturned playground equipment. That equipment is very expensive and it's a cost to the taxpayers," said Butelli.

Police plan to only tap into the video if there's an incident reported at the public park.

Some people still question if it's an invasion of privacy on the innocent or a safe way to scare the vandals.

"I don't agree. I'm from Virginia Beach where they had cameras at lights and it was a big conflict," said Brentwood resident Antonio Massimino. "There are just cameras where vandalism is happening. I'm sure it can prevent the vandalism. As long as there are not cameras on every street corner, I'm pretty fine with it."

"This should put an end to the problem," said Butelli.

Police weren't laughing when they found another example of the vandalism at the park, when someone drew marker all over a piece of playground equipment.

Police say the next time this happens, they'll hopefully catch the culprits in the act -- on camera.