THE CATCHPHRASE for an old television series was: “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera.”

That, however, won’t be the expression on the faces of those for whom surveillance cameras are being installed in area parks.

The cameras are geared to cut down on unruly actions, including vandalism in some cases.

Martins Ferry, for instance, already has cameras to cover a portion of City Park itself as well as the nearby basketball court and playground, and city council has been discussing the possibility of adding more cameras.

Complaints about youngster playing on the ballfield after it was prepared and marked for tournaments by volunteers resulted in the discussion about possibly adding more cameras.

Martins Ferry is not alone in regard to cameras for parks.

Rayland is in the process of obtaining security cameras to be installed in Mazeroski Park. Village officials decided to use funds from the recreational grant provided by the county to purchase the cameras.

Vandalism has been a problem at Mazeroski Park during the last couple of years.

Last year, the concession stand and the girls’ softball concession stand were damaged by vandals, and the acts of vandalism also included graffiti on buildings including the concession stand, shelter and restrooms.

In addition to a graffiti problem in 2013, roof shingles were torn off one of the buildings.

Rayland Village Administrator Rich Bibbo said it’s difficult to see what’s going on in the park from the road at night even though there are lights in the park so officials decided to obtain the cameras.

IT’S TOO BAD that some individuals create such mischievous or malicious destruction or damage to places such as parks, which are meant for the enjoyment of everyone.

They certainly aren’t doing anything of which they can be proud.

After all, vandalism takes its name from the Vandals, a Germanic tribe famous for sacking and looting Rome in A.D. 455.

The modern-day vandalism in area parks seems minor in comparison to sacking a city, but it results in problems. Taking corrective action to repair damages is an unnecessary expense for the general public.

IT IS hoped the surveillance cameras will help in combating the problems created by the thoughtless individuals.