MADISON, Wis. -- Madison crews will begin installing a surveillance camera at the Brittingham Park shelter off West Washington Avenue this week.

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The camera is aimed at helping eliminate illicit activity there but may no longer be needed thanks to efforts that have already been underway.

After the Joel Marino slaying in January and then the Bittany Zimmerman homicide in April, there was renewed focus on nearby Brittingham Park and its chronic problems with loitering, drugs, gambling and other issues, WISC-TV reported.

Several months later, police are hoping a city outreach effort has turned things around for good.

On Tuesday, a man rolled up in a blanket slept on a Brittingham Park bench on a warm summer afternoon, before starting to yell.

Madison police Lt. Stephanie Bradley Wilson went over to check it out.

"You got a problem?" said Bradley Wilson. The man answered no, that he was just taking a rest. Bradley Wilson replied, "OK, I heard you yelling that's why I'm over here."

The officer noticed that the man had a sleeping bag and encouraged him to move on.

"So, if you want to move on, that'll be helpful," she told the man. He agrees.

It's all in a day's work for South Madison police officers, who've been foot patrolling the urban park -- one effort of many that seem to be paying off big.

Problems at the park, and police calls, are way down, according to police and park users.

"I think it's a lot more user friendly. It's a very safe feeling to walk through the park and there's not large groups of you know, kind of boisterous people and it's just very nice," said Marilyn Merrill.

She walks the park's bike path along the water everyday with co-workers at nearby Meriter Hospital.

She said once again, they feel comfortable at Brittingham Park.

It's a sentiment voiced by many others, too.

After big problems with crowds of loitering people, some of them homeless, who were drinking and gambling, the city cracked down.

Spurred by the double homicides, the council banned downtown sales of the cheapest alcohol for carryout, and, created a plan that included installation of a park surveillance camera, WISC-TV reported.

A few months later, the park shelter is virtually empty and the park itself, virtually problem-free.

"I think the camera played a role, but I think that reaching out and talking to the service providers -- having a foot patrol -- all of that really came together to make a difference," said Bradley Wilson.

She credited a multifaceted approach that teamed up police with parks and nonprofit services providers with solving some of the problems. Contacts made during the course of the homicide investigations helped, too.

They also cite eliminating bathroom use and electricity -- except when the shelter is rented as helping eliminate the problem crowds.

Last year microwaves and other small appliances were being hooked up and used by people to camp out at the shelter.

Some park users said last year crowds of 30 or more used to congregate in the shelter.

Now it's being used for things like family reunions. City Parks officials said rentals are up this month compared to last year. Police said calls for service are way down.

They ere called to Brittingham Park only eight times last month. The most serious calls were for violations of the liquor law, WISC-TV reported.