Sparta To Add Surveillance Cameras

Sparta Aldermen approved a resolution Thursday night endorsing the use of visual surveillance cameras to enhance law enforcement.

The city will be using grant money to install cameras to help in tracking down wrong-doers. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the idea began with Wal Mart officials, who have experienced an uptick in theft.

“What’s happening is, let’s say someone goes in Walmart and steals a bunch of stuff or hurts someone or breaks in a car,” Lowery said. “They can see that car now, leave the parking lot and see if it turns left or right, whatever street it goes down, and then it can pick it up on various things, and hopefully they can find out who did it. It’s not that we’re big brother and them watching everything, and we’re not going to use it for tickets, but it will be used for surveillance.”

The county contributing $1,000 toward the cameras which will be placed strategically around the community. Wal Mart also donated money. The state offers a program to install the equipment, but local governments must first endorse the usage.

“You do it at your home, people do it,” Lowery said. “We put security cameras up, we record, and we want to watch. If anything happens, then we’ll look into it.”

Aldermen also approved on the final reading changes to its bidding process to deal with inflationary pressures. Aldermen approved the purchase of a new truck for the street department, a budgeted item.