After connectivity issues are addressed, security cameras are to be installed at Apache Junction’s two newest parks, a city commission was told recently.
They are Flatiron Community Park, 100 N. Apache Trail, and Dutchman Dog Park, 247 E. Superstition Blvd.
There are two cameras at Flatiron Park that were part of a pilot lighting program and are not recording images, Park Ranger Supervisor Kelly Martin said at the Nov. 2 meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission.
“Those don’t record so there’s no playback after the fact there. What we are looking at, we’re still working with IT to get infrastructure there for connectivity,” he said. “Liz (Langenbach, the city’s parks and recreation director) and I are working with the police chief right now, looking at other options in the meantime that may be more of a Band-Aid right now to get something out there that actually works. We’re looking at a system that has a cellular built into it, which being up on the pole with the system might be better than what we’re doing now,” he said.
Cameras should be installed at Flatiron Park and Dutchman Dog Park within the next year to 1.5 years, Langenbach said at the meeting.
“We did reach out to IT about Flatiron particularly because we’ve had a lot of issues this summer,” she said. “So our IT does have the funds this year that they are looking at trying to be set up; that will be one of our priority areas... And the dog park is our secondary.”
Security, safety
With cameras at Apache Junction parks and recreation areas, park rangers can monitor large areas even if short on employees, Martin said.
“Basically if we’re shorthanded (and) there’s a park ranger at Prospector Park, he can look at cameras at (Superstition Shadows Park), at the skate park. So he cannot be there but see what’s going on at the same time,” he said. “The cameras overall were mainly put in place for the safety and security of our staff, our patrons, as well as our park itself.”
Nine cameras at Prospector Park, 3015 N. Idaho Road, are at the shop yard, with a total of 11 views, Martin said.
“And those are able to see just about every corner of that shop yard, so that we’re protected for all the equipment that is stored there. But mainly it is used for safety, security,” he said.
Sixteen cameras — some with multiple lenses — at Apache Junction Multi-generational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Road, provide 32 views. What the cameras record is kept for 14 days, Martin said.
“MGC is a multimillion-dollar facility, We want to make sure that it stays that way, that we keep it from getting damaged; that we also protect our staff, with the number of people who go through there; as well as the patrons themselves,” he said.
“Not only do we use them, PD has used them. They’ll call me and say ‘Hey, we had a hit-and-run.’ And this is a real-time example: At MGC, they had a hit-and-run in the parking lot. Or somebody claimed their car got hit while it was in the parking lot. I was able to pull up that footage and actually see it happen and actually watched the guy get out, look at his vehicle, get back in his vehicle and he left. So we were able to help PD with that to get that,” Martin said.
“We had that on several different occasions where we’ve been able to help police just by having those cameras. They’re thankful we have them, Dispatch can actually pull up those cameras and view then real-time, as well as my rangers and myself. I can pull them up on my phone,” he said.
There are five cameras at Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center, 1091 W. Southern Ave., with a total of nine views.
“Basically that is more protection for not only the people — because most people are leaving their stuff in the grass, up against the fence, at the bleachers, stuff like that — we can also see accidents. We can also see any confrontations between staff or patrons themselves. So it gives us an idea of what’s going on in the pool,” Martin said. “That gives us that advantage so that we can see what’s going on either after or during; we can pull it up live viewing and watch what is going on there too.”
Other Apache Junction sites with cameras include:
the Little League complex, 440 S. Ironwood Drive, with two cameras at the concession stand;
four quad-dome cameras at Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave., with a total of 16 views, including at the skate park, parking lot and of the street;
two additional cameras are installed at the skate park at Superstition Shadows Park, showing ramadas, the playground and a storage area.
The cameras and what they provide for safety are beneficial to the community, two members of the parks and recreation commission said at the meeting.
“I think what we have is excellent,” Commissioner Frank Schoenbeck said of the security cameras at city parks and recreational facilities.
“Me too, as it provides safety. It’s very important,” Commissioner Terralle Moore said. “If something were to go wrong, you guys are able to really capitalize on it within minutes instead of hours and that really does make a difference,” he said.
“The cameras themselves being up there and people knowing that they’re up there is a deterrent in itself,” Martin said.
The parks and recreation commission is an advisory board that works closely with the parks and recreation director. The board recommends regulations, policies and improvements of public parks and programs in Apache Junction. The commission also recommends fees for the use of public facilities, programs and services administered by the department, according to the city’s website.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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