Following the installation of a new bathroom facility at Montesano’s Fleet Park, a camera system has been installed on a light post to overlook the park and Pioneer Avenue.

The camera system includes three cameras connected via Wi-Fi. One of the cameras is designed to produce high quality video in the dark, and the cameras can tilt, rotate and zoom remotely.

Montesano Police Chief Brett Vance said the cameras were installed to combat potential vandalism of the new bathroom facility, and to identify people who may attempt to sleep in the facility.

“We just got done spending thousands of dollars on this brand new bathroom. I know people have a big concern about big brother watching, but I’ll tell you our city invests a lot of money in our parks and now this bathroom, and I think this is a good thing,” Chief Vance said.

Vance said the camera says is a “reactive tool” in that he would review video footage after an incident or crime has occurred. The camera footage is not constantly monitored.

And using camera footage as a reactive tool is not new to the department. In the past, following major crimes the Montesano Police Department has used footage from cameras at the Chevron gas station to identify potential suspects.

Currently, one camera is pointed toward the park at all times. The other two point in opposite directions down Pioneer Avenue.

“We can see possible crosswalk violations and accidents, and maybe then we can find a plate number and go have a conversation with the driver,” Vance said.

The camera system at Fleet Park cost about $8,000 to install. That system includes the installation of a central hub, so additional cameras could be added to the system at a lower cost. In total, the city can add 32 cameras to the system.

Vance said the city is considering adding cameras to Crait, Nelson and Vessey fields.

“The theory is the parks are things that do get vandalized on occasion so I’d love to put up cameras,” Vance said.

But the cameras don’t have to be used only for law enforcement, Vance noted. The city is considering a live stream accessible to the public.

“If we were able to get one down to Vessey Field, people who can’t get to town to see their son play baseball might be able to live stream it,” Vance said.

At this point, however, there are no concrete plans to live stream the cameras.

The city is planning to install signs at Fleet Park to let people know they’re being filmed.