For months the word about security cameras at Fredonia Village Board meetings has continued to be that they are waiting to hear back from a possible supplier. If vandalism continues in areas such as Russell Joy Park, the issue may move forward sooner than later.

During Monday's workshop session, Trustee Marc Ruckman brought up a recent disturbance at the Hamlet Street pavilion in Russell Joy Park.

"They've been walking off with the picnic tables,' he said.”We discussed chains briefly, but I'm not sure about chaining them down in case someone trips over it. I think it's more of having security cameras down there. That would probably be the best bet, having security cameras down there."

Fredonia Recreation Department Director Jack Swartz has been investigating the issue with Ruckman and said he believes chaining the tables together would be a quick-fix solution for the time being.

Swartz added that he and his staff located one of the tables inside a bamboo stand above Hamlet Street.

The $500 picnic tables and renovated pavilions are an investment the board would like to see maintained and secure.

"I am waiting to hear back from DFT," Mayor Stephen Keefe said regarding a security camera system. "I think they have a nice product for us; it would be web-based so that the police can take access right from the patrol cars. It should be a nice product to work with.

"The security of the whole village with the vandalism and different things like that ... (a resident) who lives right next to Russell Joy said she hears yelling and noises in the night sometimes."

According to Fredonia Police Chief Brad Meyers, the difficulty in patrolling Russell Joy Park is the freedom that any trespasser has to avoid being caught.

In related news, during a previous board meeting the purchase of a new sign and planter at Russell Joy Park Howard Street entrance was approved at a cost of $3,000. According to Meyers, the sign on Howard Street has been a target of vandalism for years. Over time almost all of the letters have been removed by vandals.