Security measures needed in Essa
By Richard Blanchard

Essa council is looking at installing security cameras or hiring a security guard in order to reduce vandalism at the township's public spaces.

Council discussed the increasing vandalism problem at last week's council meeting.

Councillor Ron Henderson suggested that the council install a number of low cost cameras at the township's parks.

Many of those parks have seen a number of vandalism incidents over the past several months.

"I see that some of those security cameras cost about $100," he said.

"I think that they would prevent some of the problems that we have seen lately."

The baseball park in Baxter has seen some acts of vandalism, as has the new Presbyterian church in the community.

Township mayor Dave Guergis agreed with Henderson that security cameras might prove the solution to vandalism throughout the township.

"We've seen enough problems at our playgrounds," he said.

"I have to wonder how much it would cost to have a township security guard each night checking up on things. Its cost us a lot more in vandalism than paying for a security guard."

Guergis said that he would like to see security cameras placed at the major intersections in Angus, Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham to record nightly activity.

"A lot of these vandals will walk through the intersections at some point during the night. I think that it would give the police a record of what's going on."

Council asked staff to prepare a report on the costs of installing cameras in the township's parks and other areas.