$30,000 of security equipment coming to Tautphaus Park

It seems like there has been more crime in Idaho Falls lately.

Now 4 Sight Security is donating $30,000 in security cameras to the city parks and recreation department making sure there are more eyes on Tautphaus Park.

“I came today and saw graffiti in the bowl. I mean like we did a lot to get this park. I don’t know why people can just take care of it,” said Jordan Rapp.

Rapp thinks security cameras will be a good thing for the park.

“It’s all about deterrence,” said Mark Blackburn with 4 Sight Security.

11 cameras will record and live-stream different areas ofTautphaus Park.

“The best thing we can do as a security company is put cameras up and keep an eye on the park,” said Blackburn.

“We have kids drag racing through the park. Vandalism happening on a regular basis and graffiti happening over and over again,” said parks and recreation director Greg A. Weitzel.

Weitzel says repairing the park isn’t cheap.

“This year alone probably more than 20,000 dollars in damage has been done to our park system,” said Weitzel.

While the main purpose of installing the cameras it to decrease crime it could also increase park and recreation crews efficiency.

“Quicker response time when we do see problems anywhere from wind blowing over a trash can and starts to spread the trash all over the park. We can get on it right away to more serious things like people camping out in the park that shouldn’t be there at night,” said Weitzel.

The Idaho Falls zoo is having less issues now that security cameras are up.

The city is planning on installing cameras around the greenbelt, ice rink, and other popular areas.

The city also plans to eventually live-stream different areas of the park online… so you can see what’s going on, how crowded it is, and if you want to bring your family out.