Security cameras installed at golf course

Thieves should think twice about breaking into the Banks Lake Golf Course office.

Grant County Port District 7, which manages the course, has installed 10 security cameras.

Commissioner Jerry Sands, who installed the security cameras, said that there are five outside and five inside.

"We don't want any more damage or loss at the office," he stated as Grant County port district commissioners met last Thursday.

The golf course had two burglaries back in 2013. The first happened in January, when thieves used a crow bar to pry open the back door, then dragged a 300-pound safe out and made off with the safe and some $2,800 in cash.

Those responsible were never apprehended.

The second burglary occurred May 6 that year. In that burglary, the safe was taken and found smashed near the 18th green, missing about $300. Some $200 was taken from other locations inside the golf office. Entry was gained by smashing a door, with repairs costing $2,600 plus the installation of a new door. The thieves used a heavy pry bar to pry the safe loose from the floor. The safe, officials stated at the time, weighed about 100 pounds. The thieves were never identified in that burglary either.

"Anyone trying this again will be identified," Sands said. "The security camera pictures are very good."

The security setup has stations from which activities can be monitored, but the images are also sent to an off-site location.

The golf course is being run this year by volunteers, with each of the three commissioners taking shifts at the course. The lone employee, a person to run the fairway mowers, started Monday.