Aiken City Council OK’s Odell Weeks Center Security Upgrades
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Aiken City Council OK's Odell Weeks Center Security...
After a shooting, earlier this month?an Aiken County recreation center is looking at security upgrades. Somebody shot a man at the H. Odell Weeks Center, in May. He got hit in the shoulder...but will...
After a shooting, earlier this month…an Aiken County recreation center is looking at security upgrades. Somebody shot a man at the H. Odell Weeks Center, in May. He got hit in the shoulder…but will be okay. This case has put the spotlight on a place that’s known for being safe, a place for people to exercise and play without being worried about crime. So far, there are no suspects in this case…but now that school’s out, more kids will hang out at the center…and some major changes could be in the works. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop has more.
Aiken, SC—It was in this gym, where nearly a month ago, someone was shot during a pick-up game of basketball. Now, it’s raised some major safety concerns for parents for kids who hang out there…and especially their parents.
Carl Johnson, plays basketball at Odell Weeks Center: “They didn’t want me to come up here, for like a week, after it happened. They kept me home…like they didn’t want me to come up here at all.“
Glenn Parker is the director of Aiken’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. He showed us some of the 27 different cameras installed throughout the center, and although they all work just fine…it’s time for upgrades…like cameras with better resolutions. He also wants some added security guards….and membership ID’s with pictures on them.
Glenn Parker, Director, Aiken’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism: “There may be folks who don’t want to come to the center, and this is not a bad thing, who don’t want to come to the center because they don’t want us to know that they’re in here, and that’s okay. That’s good protection for those folks who are here, who just want to have some fun.“
Monday night, Parker took his concerns and suggestions to Aiken City Council.
Roger LeDuc, Aiken City Manager: “I have talked to several of the Council members, staff members, and citizens, and we feel this is the best way to go ahead and to, hopefully this will never happen again…but we hope that this will help prevent this from every happening again.”
Although some may agree it’s security that’s overdue…others like Carl Johnson say it’s not too late.
Johnson: “I think they need to just go ahead and get it done, you know. It will make things safer; I mean these are people’s lives we’re talking about versus money. So, what do you want to waiver…life, money, which is more important?“
Monday night, all members of City Council agreed and voted for, photo ID cards, new cameras, Public Safety officers, and a call box system that would be located throughout the property and parking lots. All of these features should be starting, almost immediately. The total upgrade will cost about $75,000, but it will be money pulled from the city’s reserves.
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