Alabama Parks Get Security Improvements

City parks in Madison, Ala. are combating crime with video surveillance cameras.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Jan 23, 2019

In an effort to prepare for potential crime in the warmer months, the City of Madison, Ala. is looking to improve the security of parks with the addition of several surveillance cameras.

Kory, Alfred, Madison Parks and Recreation Director, said the city parks department had nearly 20 vehicle break-ins reported to them between last spring and summer. He said it was mostly happening near trailheads, during nighttime and weekend activities.

"We really don't have any video surveillance to catch the perpetrators to help police in the investigation," Alfred told WHNT. "We have been bringing people for the last few months to make sure they secure their valuables when they come to the park. That seems to have worked."

They are not going to take any chances, however. Alfred said the city council added funds to the budget to give the trouble spots some camera coverage.

"There are two phases to what we're trying to do," Alfred said. "We have to do some electrical work to get power to the site. And secondly, we are going to add several video cameras that will be recorded on a DVR that we can play back if there is an incident."

Alfred added that while the parks are making security a priority, he still wants people to be aware of their belongs and surroundings.