Pocono News Section

"Big Brother" Will Be Watching Over Billtown

"Big Brother" Will Be Watching Over Billtown - Friday, January 22, 2010 at 5:12PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday, Jan 22, 2010 @ 05:12pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

Williamsport City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to accept a grant for surveillance cameras.

The $450,000 grant will help purchase the infrastructure for the surveillance system. At least six cameras are expected to be mounted in several of the city's public parks.

Some council members say they would oppose any attempt to put the cameras in residential areas. However, not everyone agrees.

Cedric Williams, of Williamsport, said, "To put them in the park would be stupid. I don't think people would get upset because there are cameras in their neighborhood. I think they'd feel more protected than anything."

"To have cameras in those certain areas would definitely lessen crime and get a lot of the scum off the streets," he added.

The city's administration has said it hopes to purchase as many as 100 cameras as more grant money becomes available.