Here’s how Yelm plans to deter crime at its skate park

City of Yelm officials say surveillance cameras have been installed at the city’s skate park, which has battled littering, vandalism and crime.

“My hope is that they will motivate those who would engage in criminal activity to take it elsewhere so the skate park feels safer for our youth to enjoy,” Mayor JW Foster said.

Last June, the park at 203 First St. NE was closed for about three weeks after an arson.

Yelm Police Chief Todd Stancil told The Olympian that the new cameras were paid for with a grant. Officers will have remote access to the park’s activities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It’s really just one of the efforts that we’re trying ... to make the park safer for everybody,” Stancil said.

Officers also plan to increase patrols in the park, he said.

Lisa Pemberton

This story was originally published January 24, 2018 at 9:49 AM with the headline "Here’s how Yelm plans to deter crime at its skate park."