A popular Niles Township trail continues to be the target of vandalism, despite efforts by township officials and police to catch those responsible.

Trustee Chris Vella said during Monday’s board meeting that not only has the vandalism continued since it was discovered this spring, it has gotten worse.

“The mile markers, the doggy waste stations are completely down, more vandalism and the graffiti type stuff that used to be at Fulkerson Park,” she said.

Vella, who acts as a liaison for the township park commission, said commission members voted to purchase one “trail camera” that can be placed high in the air above the River Valley Trail and capture video at all hours of the day and night.

One person, she said, would be able to monitor the video feed through a smart phone at all times.

“They are going to put up one camera and see if that doesn’t help deter some of the vandalism,” Vella said.

Harry Thibault, chairman of the park commission, said the majority of the vandalism is occurring on the trail from Bertrand Road south to Stateline Road.

The people responsible have broken portions of fencing that runs alongside the trail, stolen mile markers from the trail and removed the pet waste station from the trail kiosk on Stateline Road.

Thibault also said someone drove approximately 10 roofing underlayment nails through the bulletin board at the Stateline Road kiosk.

He hopes installing a camera will help stop the damage, which is costing the township money and time in cleanup efforts.

“I think it is just a couple of kids,” he said. “If we can figure out who it is and have there be consequences for it, I think it will stop.”