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Life Editor

The Blaine City Council has authorized the purchase of three high-tech electronic surveillance cameras that will be installed in city parks in an effort to reduce vandalism.

Police Chief Chris Olson presented the $20,466 request for the digital, solar-powered devices as a consent agenda item at the council’s Nov. 5 meeting.

Q-Star Technologies, Torrance, Calif., will provide the deterrent systems, which are portable and capable of audible voice warnings and time-lapse photography.

One of the systems will be installed in Lakeside Commons Park, Olson reported in a council memo.

According to Olson, the camera purchase will be funded through a U.S. Department of Justice Local Byrne JAG grant ($13,495), Blaine park dedication funds ($6,822) and a police department general fund budget allocation ($149).

The council was informed of the JAG grant in July and Lakeside Commons Park security issues were discussed during a Feb. 5 workshop.

The surveillance equipment is being installed in the city’s new parks in order to cut down on vandalism.

The cameras can operate in total darkness, Olson reported in his memo.

Tim Hennagir is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it