Colorado Springs residents react to new Memorial Park safety measures [Video]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Those who head out to Memorial Park this summer will be able to enjoy some new security features.

Colorado Springs Police announced Friday they completed the $1,726,331 upgrade project using grant money from the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Office of Adult and Juvenile Justice Assistance, SB22-01 – Crime Prevention Through Safer Streets.

Police said meetings with community stakeholders revealed the top three concerns about the park were lighting, vandalism, and crime.

“It’s been unsafe the last couple of years, especially with the shootings, the loitering that we have, the drug use that some of the kids and gang members do that usually happens here in the parking lot,” park-goer Nicholas Rivas said.

In response, police installed the following:

• 19 gates at each access point to the park to make sure vehicles can’t enter the park after hours
• 10 wireless security cameras to provide 24-hour surveillance around the park and near …