T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Bellaire officials are considering installing cameras and fencing around the 41st Street playground in hopes of deterring those who are damaging the equipment.

BELLAIRE — A string of damage to playground equipment led Bellaire Village Council to consider installing cameras and additional fencing around the area.

During last week’s meeting, Mayor Ed Marling informed council members of some damage done to some of the equipment at the park on 41st Street next to the basketball court. He said they should consider implementing an age limit or limiting access to the premises to certain times to help prevent such incidents from occurring.

“Three times last year the park district bought new swings and everything. It’s the older kids, it’s not the young ones,” he said, adding that an age limit of 12 and under could help.

After some discussion, Councilwoman Janet Richardson suggested installing cameras.

Marling said it would be a “good idea.” He said the street department could install the cameras if council opted for the measure.

Police Chief Dick Flanagan said installing cameras at the walking trail helped catch and fine individuals responsible for vandalizing the trail.

“We haven’t had any more problems down there since,” he added.

On Wednesday, Marling said he, council and park district members feel that installing cameras would help alleviate some of the issues and decrease the destruction of the equipment. He said the park district purchased three swing sets last year alone and that seats had to be continuously replaced due to older teens jumping and breaking the equipment.

“This has been an ongoing thing,” he said. “… It’s mostly juveniles and high school kids doing this. It’s not small kids. What they’re doing is getting into the cradles and jumping up and down and snapping the cradles.”

Marling said he has additional outdoor cameras at his office that he plans to have placed around the playground area so village officials can monitor the situation.

Additionally, he said they may install previously purchased fencing around the playground equipment with a single entrance. He said the police department could regulate the lights, turning them off at a certain time to indicate the area is closed at night. An age limit may also be implemented to discourage older kids from playing on the equipment that is geared toward toddlers and younger children.

Marling said there were also instances of spray painting in the area last year. Officials speculated that might have been done by the same teen culprits.

Marling said he wishes there were stricter punishments for juveniles who reoffend.

“What I would do is I’d bring them in, if they’d allow me, they’d be working every day during the summer. I would have them out here at 6 a.m. cleaning the streets. Maybe that would teach them something,” he said, adding that he would implement a curfew of 7 p.m. as well.

“That’s what needs to be done. They’re too lenient on them. When they get caught, they give them a pat on the back and don’t give harsh enough penalties to repeat offenders.”

Marling said the playground is the only one of the few in the village to experience such damage. In the future, he said he would like to create basketball and tennis courts closer to the center of town to provide teens with other activities and help to prevent vandalism.

“I think we can work together with the township and park district to see what we could get going,” he said.