Bandits who scope out Blue Mountain Ski Area as a potential robbery site may want to think twice.

A new digital video-recording system has been installed as part of a measure to improve security for its guests.The new security device is a huge upgrade over the former analog system, according to Dave Kurz, security manager, department of public safety.Kurz said the new system - complete with 78 cameras - was needed in an effort to curtail the number of thefts that had occurred at the ski area."We were getting a lot of thefts in the past, and there was nothing we could do about it because we couldn't see who did it," Kurz said. "With these digital cameras, we're able to see who did it."Out of the dozen thefts that have taken place at the ski area this year, about 10 have been solved, Kurz said.Of those, eight were stolen snowboards, most notably the Skate Banana brand, which Kurz said is currently the most popular. The other theft items included skis and bags.Kurz said the most common offenders are individuals in their late-teens or early-20s. Once caught, he said the thieves attempt to concoct different kinds of excuses."It's the younger group who try to improve what they've got," he said. "When they do steal the equipment, sometimes it's monetarily good for them because they put it on Craig's List or eBay."