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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Jemison City Council and Jemison Police Department are looking at adding security surveillance at Jemison City Park after $10,000 worth of vandalism.

“The vandalism in our park will be dealt with severely,” Mayor Eddie Reed said during an Aug. 10 meeting.

He said when those who are guilty of the damage are found, they would be arrested.

“We are not going to tolerate it,” Reed said.

This is not the first time the park has been vandalized. The recent damage was mostly to the restrooms.

“Last week, we had a lot of vandalism at the park,” city administrator Shannon Welch said. “There is commodes, sinks, lights at our pavilion (and) walking trails, urinals — they took baseball bats or sledgehammers and busted them all to pieces and this isn’t the first time.”

Welch suggested cameras that could be purchased through the state bid, so the council would not have to go through the bid process.

The cameras being considered would allow live footage to be accessed by the police department from anywhere.

“We are not going to stand for it,” Reed said. “They have to be caught one way or another.”

Reed thanked the Jemison Police Department for having more patrols near the park.

The park gates close at 9 p.m., and the damage is thought to be done after that.

“We can’t continue to reinvest money into the damage that they are causing,” Reed said. “It is expensive.”

Council member Rex Bittle gave a recommendation for camera placement based on what he had seen at another park.

“The park has been used more this summer than I have ever seen,” Reed said. “Walkers and people in that park, they are really enjoying it, so the citizens appreciate what the city has done in terms of repairing the park.”

Those with information about who may have vandalized the park are encouraged to call Jemison Police Department at 205-688-4491