Marietta, GA - Most people head to Cobb County’s parks to enjoy themselves, to use the amenities the county offers or to participate in one of the many activities.  But all too often, criminals are heading to the parks to find victims who are occupied having fun and are easy targets.

The reports of criminal activity, especially car break-ins, has prompted the Parks Department to ask the Board to approve cameras and license plate readers at a dozen parks.  Parks Department Director Jimmy Gisi says his agency has worked with the Police Department to identify the parks with the most reports and how to best respond to them.

The agenda item requests twelve solar-powered systems that would include license plate readers. Those cameras would be equipped to provide police with both images and vehicle information after a report comes in.   

The parks identified for the system are;
District 1: Lost Mountain Park, Oregon Park, Fair Oaks Park; 
District 2: East Cobb Park, Terrell Mill Park, Fullers Park; 
District 3: Skip Wells Park; 
District 4: Wallace Park, Hurt Road Park, South Cobb Campus, Tramore Park (north side), Wild Horse Creek Park.

The Flock Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, installed at the main park entrance and integrated into the existing police system, will allow access to evidence such as timeframe, license plate, and vehicle characteristics for vehicles entering and exiting the park.  The cameras and system are already being used by other Cobb County departments and would integrate easily into the network.

The $168,000 proposal would include two cameras at each park and be paid for out of the 2016 SPLOST Technology improvements, installations, and upgrades Parks component.