Surveillance cameras under microscope after Investigators report | News

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Following a 10 News Investigators story on surveillance cameras that had yet to yield any tangible results, a city councilman will ask Thursday for a shift in policy on the technology.

Mayor Bill Foster instituted a surveillance camera pilot program in 2010 upon taking office, but limited funds have prohibited the city from installing more than 10 cameras.  As 10 News first reported last week, the cameras -- mostly in city parks -- are not monitored by police.

Foster acknowledged the city hasn't had the tools to take full advantage of the technology yet, but Councilman Karl Nurse says when funds become available, the city should install surveillance cameras in high-crime areas.

"We're not using it for hot spots," Nurse said, adding several pockets in his district have severe drug problems. "We're not really even (watching the feeds). This is sort of passive resistance."

Nurse didn't know why it seemed there was some resistance to surveillance technology in the police department, but recently-retired SPPD employee Gene Webb recently suggested the cameras may have been placed in parks instead of "hot spots" because of racial sensitivity issues.

"High-crime areas in St. Petersburg tend to be -- not all -- but tend to be on the south side of town," Webb told 10 News, adding the police department's senior management was responsible for the pushback. "There was some concern that if we only put them on the south side of town, that would seem inappropriate."

But Foster tells the 10 News Investigators that Webb was categorically incorrect and a lack of funding was the only reason the surveillance program hasn't gotten past the pilot stage.

Foster and Nurse hope grants or seizure money will help the city add more cameras later this year.