DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Officials hope a new $100,000 camera surveillance system in Lower Paxton Township's five largest public parks will deter vandalism.
The township is in its third year of a $5 million improvement and renovation project that will impact every park.
The following parks have 24/7 security cameras:
- Brightbill Park, 5000 Commons Drive
- George Park, Nyes Rd & Heatherfield Way
- Koons Park, 6030 Larue Street
- Lingle Park, 1100 Pleasant Drive
- Kohl Memorial Park, 1050 Dowhower Road
“Earlier this year we captured on video someone damaging a water fountain at Lingle Park and we’re going to put some pictures on social media and ask the public to help us identify the person,’’ said Chairman Robin Lindsey.
“Hundreds of our residents, as well as those from outside our township, enjoy our parks and it isn’t fair for a few bad actors to stop visitors from being able to enjoy all the parks have to offer.”
The camera security system was funded through an $80,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development and $20,000 from federal funding received during the pandemic.
Spurring the push for the cameras was an incident last summer, when someone destroyed the bathrooms at Koons Park, causing $4,000 in damage and closing the facilities for several months.
In the spring of this year, a driver did donuts on the George Park field, causing $10,000 in damage because the area had to be regarded with new topsoil.
"You take for granted that it seems like a minor repair, but it adds up," said Rachelle Scott, the Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation Director. "This is a public facility, and we want it to be used by everyone.”
Adam Koshiba, the Lower Paxton Township Public Safety Director, estimates that the police are called to one of the parks at least two to three times a month to respond to criminal activity.
“[It’s] not a whole lot of times throughout the year, but when we see the criminal mischief, it is usually pretty extensive," said Koshiba.
Park improvement projects done by the township in the past year include re-doing the basketball courts at Brightbill and new bathrooms, building Central Pennsylvania’s first cricket pitch in Lingle Park, and upgrading the basketball and tennis courts at Forest Hills Park.
In the coming weeks, a new $1 million playground is scheduled to open at Brightbill Park, and other main projects planned for this year include:
- Kohl Park: Expand and enhance the Happy Tails Dog Park
- George Park: Connect Lamplight trail to George Park trail, renovate the In-Line Hockey rink, establish a steering committee for Possibility Place Playground with equipment for all children, and, depending on grants received, begin planning and bid process for a community hub to include lighted pickleball courts, basketball courts, and volleyball courts.
- Brightbill and Koons Park: Tennis court renovations
Township Parks & Recreation staff will review the camera video and submit damage reports – along with the footage – to the township’s police department.
“Vandalizing public property is not a harmless prank and carries serious consequences,’’ said Koshiba. “Our department will investigate these cases to the fullest extent and arrest those responsible.’’
Anyone with information about individuals vandalizing Lower Paxton Township Parks has been urged to call the Township police at (717) 657-5656.