Chesapeake, Va. (WTKR) - Chesapeake has installed security cameras at three city parks.
The cameras have been installed at Deep Creek, Elizabeth River and Lakeside Parks.
According to the Parks & Recreation Department, the cameras are a proactive "deterrence and investigative tool used in apprehension procedures."
At Deep Creek and Lakeside Parks, the cameras are motion-triggered and solar-powered.
When motion is detected by the cameras, high-resolution pictures are taken and the voice-activated alarm will warn intruders.
At Elizabeth River Park, the cameras are a video system which gives the city a 360-degree view of what's happening at the park.
Already that system is being credited with saving the city money.
"We had a tractor-trailer accidentally knock over one of our light poles. The cost was about $5000. We were able to pull up the footage and instantly we got results from that. We were able to get to the company and get their insurance to pay us back," Kevin Kaul, Chesapeake Parks Manager, told NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo Monday.
Kaul hopes the systems not only makes people feel safer, but also deters vandalism.
The hope is to expand the camera systems to all city parks in the future.
