Pueblo City Council approves reallocation of ARPA funds for park surveillance infrastructure
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - Pueblo City Council has unanimously approved a resolution to reallocate nearly a quarter-million dollars in federal funding to support security infrastructure in public parks.
During Monday night’s meeting, council members voted to move $227,956 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, originally designated for railroad permit technology, toward the installation of fiber-optic cables. That fiber network will serve as the backbone for video surveillance systems already in the works at several city parks.
The funding builds on a previous initiative approved by the council in December 2024, which allocated $1 million to install security cameras, license plate readers, and Wi-Fi at five high-traffic parks:
- City Park
- Mineral Palace Park
- Ray Aguilera Park
- Mitchell Park
- Lake Minnequa
The fiber-optic installation approved Monday will allow those cameras to transmit data to the Pueblo Police Department’s real-time crime center, where footage can be monitored in real time.
While council members did not comment during the vote, some community members voiced frustration about safety in public spaces.
"This is a disgrace. This city is falling apart. It's the worst it's ever been. It needs to be fixed," said one Pueblo business owner during public comment.
City officials say the goal is to deter vandalism, gang activity, and illegal dumping, issues that have repeatedly come up in public discussions about park safety.
The use of ARPA funds for this infrastructure project is permitted under Section 603(a) of the federal guidelines, which allows for spending on public safety and essential services.
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