Thursday, February 13, 2025

Bridgeport installs security cameras to combat vandalism

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BRIDGEPORT – In its efforts to discourage vandalism and tagging in its parks and other areas, the city is installing two camera security systems to monitor both vehicle traffic and citizen activity within the city limits.

Mayor Sergio Orozco reported to the December city council meeting that all cameras are installed at city hall, and work is ongoing to cover Berryman Park as well. Orozco said the city has contracted with The Floyd Company in Twisp for cameras at city hall, Conklin Landing, and Berryman Park. 

The city is awaiting the installation of additional cameras at Berryman Park with the assistance of Douglas PUD fiber and LocalTel. 

“PUD was nice enough to allow us to mount four of the cameras on their PUD power poles,” said Orozco. 

On one pole a camera will be pointed toward the restrooms and one toward the War Memorial. Cameras on the second pole will cover the new playground and public swimming pool.

“We will have another one in the pool that catches most of the outside part,” said Orozco. “The nice thing about that one is it is set to record when the pool is not in use.”

As the Quad reported last year, the city sustained some restroom vandalism and tagging on structures in the newly renovated Berryman Park, prompting the council to take steps to discourage similar incidents.

The city has the option of adding more cameras to the two already in operation at Conklin if that becomes necessary.

“So far, everybody has been happy with the quality,” said Orozco, “Even the sheriff.”

Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris addressed the city council last September and requested approval to install two security cameras at the east and west entrances of the city to monitor vehicle traffic in the event criminal activity is reported.

“We applied for a grant from WATPA (Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority) which is through WASFC (Washington Association of Police Chiefs),” said Morris. “We were awarded half of what we asked for.”

Those cameras photograph vehicles and license plates and are provided by Flock Safety. Flock has about 400 cameras distributed statewide, including a system used in Brewster. The grant funds a one-year study using six cameras throughout Douglas County. Two will be installed in Bridgeport, and the others in Rock Island, Waterville, and Orondo. Once the study is completed, Morris will return to the council to offer the city the option to continue using the cameras. The city would then pick up the annual tab of $3,000 per camera.

“It is an extremely cheap force multiplier,” said Morris. “It is like me putting a deputy on a street corner who is paying attention 24 hours a day.”

Morris is collaborating with Superintendent of Public Works Stuart Dezellem, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and Douglas PUD for the placement of the traffic cameras.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

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