Watch CBS News

Glen Cove Mayor Defends Addition Of Dozens Of Surveillance Cameras

GLEN COVE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Glen Cove has significantly boosted the amount of surveillance on its streets.

A network of 49 cameras will be trained on municipal parking lots and on the downtown area 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and six others that record license plate numbers will be located on the main routes in and out of town. The cameras will cover three-quarters of the town's business district, and the images will then be fed back to the police department.

"There could be a hit-and-run. There could be a physical assault. We don't have a problem per se, but it's an extra layer of safety," Mayor Ralph Suozzi told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On The Story

Podcast

He said the cameras were purchased with money received from a $615,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and the images will be stored in a computer for 60 days.

"If it solves one crime, or acts as a deterrent, or the [license plate readers] take one gun off the road... these are just a proactive policing tool that costs the city no money at all, not even a penny," Suozzi said.

The New York Civil Liberties Union said it's closely watching the use of cameras by municipalities.

"[Cameras] don't necessarily make us safer," the NYCLU said in a statement. "It's not worth taking away liberties in the name of safety."

Still, many Glen Cove residents said they are in favor of the increased surveillance.

"I think it's a good idea," one woman told CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff. "When you need a cop, they're not there sometimes. I think if you're not doing anything wrong, there's no problem."

Another local added, "You have an invasion of privacy, but we do need something like this because of the way the world is today."

Suozzi said that the cameras will not be pointed into the windows of homes or offices. They are set to go live next week.

Are you okay with the cameras? Sound off in the comments section below!

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.