Determining which of six suspects picked a lock and broke it at the restroom at Flatiron Park, 100 N. Apache Trail, was possible thanks to a camera that recorded the activity, the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was told recently.
“We had a break-in of our restroom after-hours. PD was called by a patron and there were six individuals inside there. PD came and took care of them. We were able to view on the camera what exactly happened: Somebody was picking the lock, somebody broke the lock and obviously we had to replace it. But that was all caught on camera,” Park Ranger Supervisor Kelly Martin said at the commission’s May 3 meeting.
While suspects were found at the restroom break-in, Apache Junction parks employees are on the look out for an individual who painted graffiti at the skate park at Superstition Shadows Aquatics Center, 1091 W. Southern Ave., as they have a clear photo thanks to security cameras that recorded the tagging.
“As you know, we do have vandalism down there with graffiti, especially inside the skate park. I was able to pull up cameras and actually see him spraying his logo or whatever you want to call it, in different areas. We got a good picture of him. He hasn’t been back. All of my guys have those pictures so when he does come back we will be able to rectify that as well,” Martin said.
A third example of cameras helping at parks and recreation facilities was when he determined who a driver was who had side-swiped a vehicle in a parking lot.
“We looked at the cameras and the very next day I was able to contact the person because they showed up again. So contacted them and was able to get them together with his insurance so that she can get that taken care of,” Martin said.
Flatiron Park cameras
He credited Doug Wirthge, the city’s chief information officer and IT director, for putting in AirFiber Internet to access previously unusable cameras at Flatiron Park.
“We finally got — thanks to our IT director — AirFiber to Flatiron Park, where we’re able to actually view those cameras,” Martin said.
One of the two cameras can be moved and zoomed in on different areas, he said.
“We can put it just about anywhere in the park, zoom-in on certain areas. I tend to leave it on the restrooms because that’s where we have the most issues. So that was a big help to us,” Martin said. “Now we have two cameras there. Doug is still looking into getting more cameras there... (and) where to put those cameras and where they would be most beneficial.”
Images from the cameras can be viewed in real-time, he said.
“(T)hey can pull it up and you can see what’s going on,” Martin said.
MGC cameras
A camera has been added to the game room at Apache Junction Multi-Generational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Road, he said.
“Which benefits the staff there because we have a corner there that you can’t really see in through there when they’re sitting at the front desk — they can’t see what’s going on. But now they have a camera that they can look at in there as well,” Martin said.
“We replaced a camera outside that was giving us fits; they came out and replaced that one,” he said. “That one points out kind of to the playground, the entryway and in our parking lots.”
Software upgrade budgeted
The city of Apache Junction is slated to purchase new software that will help with its parks and recreation cameras, Martin said.
“We are looking — coming up in the next fiscal year, I believe — they’re looking at a new software program to run the cameras, which we’re excited about because it’s more user-friendly and we’re able to do a little bit more detailed work with it,” he said. “So we’re exited for that. We don’t know when it’s coming but that is coming down the pipe as well.”
It is in the budget for the next fiscal year, Liz Langenbach, the city’s parks and recreation director, said.
“So that’s a planned improvement that will be coming. So we’re excited,” she said.
Commission Chairman Frank Schoenbeck likes that the cameras were added.
“Sounds like you’ve made some good improvements. It’s really making it more effective,” he said.
“Do you see any hope with this improved surveillance that the word will get out that it’s no longer an easy target as it used to be?” Schoenbeck asked later.
“I think it’s still in the process of getting that,” Martin said. “But once we let them know that we have cameras then two things happen — the risk to damage to cameras or ... everything stops where we have it.”
Schoenbeck later thanked Martin for his presentation.
“That’s really good news because I think it holds part of the key to keeping a lid on things — let people know that if you’re going to do it, you’re going to get observed. If you get observed you’re going to be held accountable,” he 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 H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
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.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here