Politics & Government

Plainfield Park District Installs Cameras at Ottawa Street Pool

Spokesman said the equipment is intended to deter vandals, after-hours trespassers.

The Plainfield Park District spent $4,000 last week to install five high-definition surveillance cameras at the Ottawa Street Pool.

Park district spokesman Doug Booth said the decision was made by recreation staff in response to some past incidents of vandalism at the pool — and as a safety measure. 

“We occasionally get someone who decides they want to go for a swim at 2 or 3 in the morning,” he said, adding late-night trespassers present a liability for the park district.  “[The cameras provide] 24/7 protection for staff in case of an incident,” Booth added.

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In another incident, Booth said, a would-be thief or thieves attempted to get into the office, presumably thinking there might be cash inside. 

Booth said three cameras provide a 24/7 panoramic view of the pool area. The footage can be seen from a monitor inside the pool office. The other two cameras provide surveillance of the office itself to monitor the cash register and safe.

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Booth said the cameras provide high-definition, color video, even in the dark, and video is stored for several weeks before being recorded over. “So if somebody has an accident and doesn’t report it for three or four days, we still have a record,” he said.

He said the video will be monitored by pool, recreation and office staff, all of whom are required to undergo background checks as part of the employment process.

Park district resident Mike Boyd, who has had a membership at the pool for several years, said he noticed the cameras last week. 

“I feel that it’s just been rather strange,” he said, adding he’s wary of the constant surveillance. “It’s not just one camera. It’s multiple cameras all they’re all facing the pool … I’ll think twice about walking around the pool over there, especially with my little kid.”

Booth said the cameras, purchased from D&I Electronics of Plainfield, were installed last week.

 

 


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