A new security system was recently installed thanks to a local grant.

Jefferson resident Don Orris says the Greene County Community Foundation gave a $6,491 grant to the City of Jefferson for new security cameras to be placed by the Doreen Wilbur statue at the corner of Lincoln Way and Vine Street. He says the old security cameras ran on an analog system and the new cameras are digital. Orris adds the upgrade was needed after some youth vandalized the bronze statue of Jefferson’s lone Olympic gold medalist.

The grant paid for the two digital cameras, plus one-third of the cost to upgrade the entire system to digital, which is operated by Home State Bank. The local bank paid for the rest of the upgrade. Orris says the new system is even better than he had hoped for.

“I can’t tell you how great it is. The focus of it without zooming it in, because it has the ability to zoom in, but without the zoom on it, I can actually read the names on the donor’s pillar which are only about half to three-quarters of an inch tall and they are crystal clear on this camera.”

Orris believes the new system will be a deterrent from someone waiting to vandalize the statue or the bronze target that is located kitty-corner from the statue. He is grateful for the grant the City received.

“We really want to thank the Greene County Community Foundation. The grant that they gave us allowed us to do that. They continue to do great work with the community and we want to be sure to thank them because without their money, we wouldn’t have this.”

Orris adds that Home State Bank operates the cameras and keeps digital recordings for up to one year.