Columbus neighborhood debuts security cameras

Public security cameras were installed for the first time in the city of Columbus, Ohio, this week. The initial wave of installations will take place in the Hilltop neighborhood in an effort to deter violent crime. The live camera feeds will be broadcast to police substations and the city hall 24 hours a day.

"We'll have 113 cameras located all over the city in five neighborhoods," Columbus mayor Michael Coleman told the local NBC news station. "They'll be strategically located in those neighborhoods based on crime statistics."

The $2.5 million project will also install security cameras in the Linden, Weiland Park, Livingston Avenue and Mount Vernon neighborhoods.

Several residents have voiced privacy infringement concerns, but most agree that something had to be done to combat local vandalism, burglary and assaults. Neighborhood leaders hope the presence of security cameras will place additional doubts in the mind of potential criminals and discourage unlawful public behavior.

An increasing number of cities across the country are turning to surveillance as a powerful crime fighting tool. Security cameras can be used as a deterrent and detective as images may help identify perpetrators that would have otherwise avoided arrest.  

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