By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne City Council held a special work session on Tuesday, July 31 to discuss the price of purchasing security cameras for Fort Payne’s city parks.

Due to recent vandalism at the Alabama statues and at the restrooms of a few city parks, Councilmember Johnny Eberhart stated, “We’ve kicked this can around for several years. It’s time to do something.”

Marlon Williamson of Farmers Telephone Cooperative (FTC) presented the Council with many options for the six sites. Depending on specifications, the price for installation will be around $30,000.

The monthly charge for the fiber optic cables to the cameras would be around $500-$600 per month.

“I think with the vandalism that we have experienced in the park restrooms and around different places in the city, that it is time to really consider doing some kind of security system,” said Council President Brian Baine. “It’s bad that we even have to have that kind of conversation, but the reality is these are things that are happening.”

The Council requested a complete breakdown to better consider this issue at the next meeting. In addition, the Council also would like to collaborate with Fort Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum to pinpoint the areas that will need the cameras.