Department
applying for
grant to install
added security

By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier News Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE – Officials are looking to focus another eye on safety at Mike Miller Park. Park manager Troy Kirkendall is pursuing a grant for six security cameras and a relay tower that would provide law enforcement with a link to the park.

“Marshall County Parks is going to apply for a grant for security cameras,” Kirkendall said. “These are the same cameras the sheriff’s office currently uses. Also, we’ll need a relay tower [placed] at the high school to get the signal back to the Sheriff’s Department.”

The funds being applied for is a $39,886 Homeland Security grant. No matching funds are required.

Kirkendall said the idea behind the cameras is to have them in case something happens, instead of as a response after.

“We’re wanting to make sure our park is safe,” Kirkendall said. “Nothing has happened but we want to be ahead of the game.”

Kirkendall said the cameras, if purchased, would be operable day and night, providing recorded information for a predetermined amount of time. The cameras could also be used for remote viewing from sheriff’s department vehicles and are similar to those already in place at the H.H. Lovett Park. Viewers would be able to pan, tilt and zoom to get a variety of views from each placement.

Kirkendall said the relay tower can relay information from up to 64 cameras in its area back to the sheriff’s department. While the original construction would be for usage by the parks, other county agencies could make use of the tower by installing cameras, such as schools or at traffic intersections.

The Marshall County Fiscal Court signed a resolution last week allowing the parks department to apply for the grant.

“It’s not going to cost the county anything,” said commissioner Jerry English. “I feel we need this.”