MOUNT VERNON — The city of Mount Vernon got some good news, thanks to the efforts of one of its employees.

Dee Wood, administrative assistant, won a safety council essay contest, winning up to $1,000 to help put security cameras in City Hall. Wood’s essay was on the need for security cameras at the city’s main office building, but Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said the award will help in other areas, as well.

The city has had some issues with vandalism at the water park, Phillips Park’s concession stand and Riverside Park’s playground area; Mavis said they will look into putting security cameras there as well.

“The technology has improved so much, I think we might be able to use them at a couple of other places. It might be the only way to curtail the vandalism,” Mavis said.

As they are considering security for the water park this summer, there is plenty of action going on right now. City workers are putting in a new, 8-foot-tall fence that will encircle a portion of the basketball courts, and will soon be performing other pre-summer jobs. Mavis said the floor of the pool will be painted, the restrooms will be powerwashed and the pumps will be checked out prior to the park opening on June 8.