BUCKHANNON – The Consolidated Public Works Board is considering the installation of new security cameras at city parks, along the river walk trail and on Main Street.

During the Consolidated Public Works Board meeting on Thursday, police chief Matt Gregory said mobile cameras are ideal for areas that may not have an available power source.

“There are locations where connectivity to power is limited in town, and particularly on parts of the walk trail where we have unfortunately seen incidents of vandalism and other such events,” Gregory said.

He said the 16 AA batteries in the cameras will last about six months before they need to be switched out. The cameras will be IP cameras that take video and allow still images to be taken from the video.

Gregory said off the top of his head he could think of at least half a dozen arrests that have been made possible through cameras installed at the city park.

“In terms of safety and security, the cameras have paid dividends to the City of Buckhannon,” Gregory said. “We are able to monitor these cameras at the station and we have witnessed felony drug transactions in the park and we were able to address it right as it was occurring.”

Mayor David McCauley said he wanted director of public works Jerry Arnold and Gregory to collaborate, identify sites and costs and how many cameras they may need in the next few months as budgets are discussed. No action was taken at the meeting.

In other news from the meeting:

• The CPW board approved a request from Relay for Life to use Jawbone Park and closures of South Florida Street, Madison Street and Spring Street for the event on July 20.
• The event request for the WV Classic Wheels Car Show on Labor Day was approved.
• The request to make the corner at the West Lincoln and Pinnell intersection no parking and to repaint the curb was approved.
• The new parking enforcement officer started last week and is now monitoring parking on Main Street.