Florence City Councilman Ed Robinson wants to put up surveillance cameras in a community that's been hit hard by burglaries and break-ins.
In the past couple of years, residents in the Williams Heights neighborhood in north Florence have had their cars and homes burglarized. One woman says someone stole her car. Another neighbor says his car was ransacked just a few nights ago.
Robinson tells NewsChannel 15 police have beefed up patrols, but the crooks are still finding ways around the increased security. He says they've tried every alternative under the sun, but it seems the only solution is to put up video cameras throughout William Heights.
Robinson says he's knocked on the doors of just about every house in the community and talked with many who are in favor of the cameras going up, even though it could be perceived as an invasion of their privacy.
Oforiwa Gregg said, "I don't have anything to hide, and if it stops someone from taking your personal belongings, I think it's something that you really need to have."
This isn't the first time surveillance cameras have gone up in a community to deter crime. Five years ago, Lake City Police installed cameras in a mobile home park riddled with violence. It didn't last long as vandals took down the cameras.
We did speak to one resident today who didn't want her name used. She said she is against the cameras going in, and she plans to voice her opinion at council's next meeting Monday night.
Robinson says the cameras are like what we give up for Homeland Security. "We had to give up some of our freedoms in order to fly safe, and it's the same thing in order to protect property. You might have to give up some of your freedoms for a while."
The Florence Police Department will present its research on the cameras to Florence City Council Monday night. Council is not expected to vote at the meeting.
