Source: myFox Orlando
ORANGE COUNTY, Florida. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) --It's been a few years since Floridians on the streets of Orlando got computerized surveillance cameras that help deter crime.
But technology has changed and now the City plans to put up higher tech surveillance cameras. They actually zoom all the way in to a tight shot of your face
Orlando has never been viewed by cameras this advanced. Orlando Police Chief Val Demmings showed off the future of Orlando crime fighting Monday.
"Cameras don't lie," said Orlando Police captain Jeff Goltz. And with pictures the new camera could provide, Goltz added "they will give us a 100 percent conviction rate."
Cameras don't lie, and nor do crime statistics.
According to the Orlando Police Department, the crime rate in Orlando continues to rise.
Total crimes in 2005 totaled just over 22-thousand, in 2006 600 more, and in 2007 even more.
Police say 8 percent of those happened in the Parramore area where the city will install a concentration of the cameras.
The others will be at Lake Eola and throughout downtown.
Decreased crime rates in other cities show the cameras do help deter crime, but what about your privacy?
"The places where the cameras will be located," said Orlando attorney and business owner Mark Nejame, "are observing people in public places so there are no rights to privacy."
Nejame is part owner of the nightclub Tabu in downtown Orlando. He's behind the initiative and excited to see the cameras.
This initiative, known as IRIS or Innovative Response to Improve Safety is spearheaded by the retail chain Target.
They have teamed up with some 30 cities around the country to use the new high tech technology.
In this case they've chipped in $200,000, Darden Restaurants another $50,000. The rest of the needed $1.2 million needs to come from local businesses.
Orlando Police expect the new camera to go up over the summer and fall this year.