Parkway cameras could be upgraded

By Terry Murry on Monday, May 10th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The city of Pendleton is considering using some of its COVID-19 stimulus funding to upgrade the aging surveillance system in place on the Pendleton River Parkway.

“There has been some money earmarked for the replacement or upgrade of the camera system,” Police Chief Chuck Byram said. “I am in the process of getting bids from a company for camera systems.”

Staffing issues prevent scheduling regular walking or biking patrols on the parkway. Instead, all patrol officers can access the surveillance cameras from their vehicles. The problem is, with the aging system, there isn’t much to see.

“The camera system is needing to be upgraded and replaced,” Byram said.

The system was installed in 2009.