Landmarks fight vandalism with security cameras

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded the Historical Society of Sarasota County a $3,770-grant for a security-camera system for the historic Bidwell-Wood House, built in 1882, and the Crocker Memorial Church, built in 1901.

The grant comes from the Frances T. Bourne Fund at The Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The security camera system consists of seven HD cameras with a video monitor and is intended to discourage vandalism to two of the county’s oldest establishments, both located in Pioneer Park.
According to site manager Linda Garcia, the two establishments have experienced recent bouts of vandalism, including a smashed concrete birdbath last week and damaged flower boxes.

“We’re so happy to have the cameras now,” said Garcia. “We’ve been wanting them for a long time. We’ve never been able to identify anyone. We’ve only been able to look at the aftermath. It was just out of reach, financially, but we applied for the grant through the Community Foundation, and we were approved last week. It will be a wonderful thing for us to have.”

Contact Nick Friedman at [email protected].