Blytheville Parks and Recreation director Elroy Brown is lobbying for security cameras at parks and recreation facilities, particularly Thunder Bayou Golf Links.
During Thursday evening's meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Brown proposed installing an $800 security camera at the golf course maintenance area, after thieves recently stole a zero turn mower and trailer from TBGL.
"We need a security camera out there where we've got over a million dollars worth of equipment," Brown said.
Though the equipment is inside a fenced area, the location makes it an easy target for thieves, especially at night, he said.
Brown noted the board discussed installing a camera system three years ago, but took no action.
"It's not a luxury, this is a must," Brown said. "We need something out there to protect what we've got."
He said the camera system could be monitored by the Blytheville Police Department in real time.
Brown plans to meet with Assistant Chief Ricky Jefferson to determine if that is an option.
"Even if it's after the fact, when people know that cameras are out there, they behave differently," Brown said.
Brown wants to eventually install wireless cameras in every park.
Meanwhile, a recent controversial pool party flyer initiated policy changes at the Walker Park pool.
Recently, the city rented the pool to the group, which posted a flyer with scantily dressed women.
Brown said when city officials saw the flyer, they did not rent the pool to them.
"As soon as we saw the flyers, we shut that down," Brown said.
Currently, the city is not renting out the pool until it creates a new policy.
Brown noted Mayor James Sanders office and City Attorney Mike Bearden are working with the Municipal League to form the new rules.
Those renting the pool would have to sign an agreement similar to the one used by the Arts Council of Mississippi County when it rents out the Ritz Civic Center.
"We're going to put something together so we will be able to curtail and monitor what is able to be at our pool," Brown said.
Also Thursday night, Brown told the board that the city is bidding out work at Williams Park, as part of a 2016 matching grant.
Brown is also preparing for another Arkansas Department of Tourism matching grant application for 2017 funds.
The final two of four public meetings will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at Heritage Square and 6 Tuesday night in the Blytheville Municipal Courtroom.
The city is seeking public input on how to improve the parks and recreation system.
"We're checking the pulse of what the citizens want us to do in our parks system," Brown said.
While the meeting is open to all, the city is targeting "ethnic minorities, persons with special needs, elderly persons and special interest groups" and setting meeting locations that make it easier for those groups to attend, as part of the grant, Brown noted.
"One of the reasons we're having them where we are is the guidelines from the state," Brown said.
In other news, crews spread dirt at the soccer field on Thursday to prepare it for the upcoming soccer season.
The board also heard updates from Delta Gateway Museum founding director Leslie Hester and the Arts Council of Mississippi County's David Lyttle.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com