Vandals intent on spray painting Baltimore County's artificial turf fields, defacing park property and destroying playgrounds will soon find themselves captured on camera.
The County Council has authorized $600,000 to install 24-hour video surveillance cameras at five regional parks and at athletic fields that have frequently been the targets of vandals.
"We have too much investment in these parks to let vandals have their way," said Robert J. Barrett, county director of recreation and parks. The county maintains about 11,000 acres of recreational land that attract more than 10 million visitors a year, he said. Most vandalism occurs when parks are closed.
A pilot camera program at Reisterstown Park has shown that the technology works effectively, he said. The county repaired more than $150,000 in damages there before the installation of cameras nearly eliminated the problem.
"The cameras have been a deterrent, just by being there," Barrett said. "Vandals can see them, but can't get to them. We also have a no-tolerance policy and will prosecute and fine those who willfully destroy county property."
The equipment senses motion and automatically sends e-mail alerts to the closest police station. It will also e-mail information on cars illegally parked after sunset.
"This technology is very smart," Barrett said. "It can detect motion and follow it. It can distinguish between a human being and a deer, even down to distinguishing the color of clothing."
The parks department has received 729 reports of park vandalism, playground destruction and graffiti since July, a nearly 10 percent increase over the previous year. Three playgrounds were set on fire and had to be replaced at a cost of nearly $40,000 each. Next year's county budget includes nearly $80,000 for graffiti removal.
The county's volunteer Park Pride program also focuses on prevention of vandalism and prompt repair of damaged park property. Signs posted in many parks direct residents to call the Park Pride hot line at 410-887-7844 to report problems.
Barrett expects to have the shock-resistant cameras installed soon at Meadowood, Eastern, Northwest and Honeygo regional parks and to upgrade equipment at the Reisterstown facility. Signs will inform visitors of the cameras' presence. Equipment is typically mounted on poles high enough to scan an entire facility and it will provide a 15-day loop with time stamping.
"Even if someone manages to disable one, we still would have a tape," Barrett said. "This equipment will pay for itself quickly."
