Security Cameras Pushed After Warminster Vandalism

WARMINSTER, PA —With vandals damaging Warminster Community Park recently, concerns have been raised regarding bolstering security.

Warminster Township officials are discussing adding security cameras to better protect the township's resources and buildings.

Solicitor Scott Holbert said that the township was working to cover requests for proposals and that several companies have expressed interest.

He said the township, though, is going to write the bid themselves and wants security cameras to cover all township facilities.

Those facilities would include the township municipal building, parks, police department, and library.

Township officials have brought up security cameras before but held off on them because of costs and other projects that needed more immediate priorities.

But with the recent vandalism at Warminster Community Park and other township parks, security cameras are moving up on the priority list.

The township oversees and maintains 420 acres of active and passive recreation areas in 13 parks.

At its recent meeting, township supervisors noted a recent wave of vandalism at the parks. Police had also reported that birds were poisoned to death at a park tower.

Township officials had reported graffiti being spray painted, basketball courts being damaged and also vandalism to bathrooms and Safetytown at Warminster Community Park.

In mid-July, Warminster Township Police reported that numerous birds were found dead after their feeding stations in an old tower at the park contained poison.

Warminster Community Park off Veterans Way is one of Bucks County's most popular and biggest parks with 240 acres and more than 5 miles of trails.

Police Chief James Donnelly has told Patch that the park is hard to patrol because of its size. He hoped that the township would provide other vehicles other than patrol cars to enable police to better cover park grounds.

Supervisor Janice Charlton had asked for a status update on the security cameras at last week's supervisors' meeting.

Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Kathy Frescatore said she hoped the cameras would serve as a deterrent for vandals.

"We'll be getting all new equipment," Supervisor Mark McKee said. "I think the cameras will help."