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Just noticed onTBO
University Area gets a view of new surveillance cameras*Twenty cameras will record activities west of the University of South Florida.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Maj. J.R. Burton shows a map where 20 cameras have been installed in the University Area while talking to residents at a meeting Thursday at the University Area Community Center.* * * * *By LENORA LAKE Tribune correspondent
Published: April 9, 2010
TAMPA - Twenty surveillance cameras used to deter and capture crime in the area west of the University of South Florida have been installed and should be fully operational by June 1.
Hillsborough County sheriff's Maj. J.R. Burton told about 35 people at a Thursday night meeting that arrests have made during the cameras' test runs.
Installed in an area bounded by Fowler Avenue, Bearss Avenue, Nebraska Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, the cameras provide 360-degree views of street corners and parking lots.
Burton said several detectives were trying out the cameras after recent training sessions when they recognized two men and knew that they had outstanding warrants. The detective drove to the spot and arrested both, Burton said.
"I hate to use the anecdote 'It's like shooting fish in a barrel,' but it is," Burton said to the crowd, which included homeowners, apartment tenants and property managers. Those gathered at the University Area Community Center nodded in agreement to Burton that they supported the idea.
"I see nothing but a benefit from it," said one apartment complex manager who didn't want to give his or his complex's name.
Cedar Trace Apartments resident Patti Marshall said loiterers and nonresidents have noticed that a camera has been activated near her apartment and are staying away.
The cameras were funded with a $1 million federal grant called Eye on Crime. The University Area is a pilot project for Hillsborough County, but the cameras are used in other cities such as Chicago and New York.
Burton said the University Area met the criteria because it is an area of high crime, has lots of drug sales and has a high incidence of violent crime.
"Every kind of crime you can imagine occurs in the University Area," he said.
The portable, high-resolution cameras record 24 hours a day with the images stored for 30 days. They will be monitored from the sheriff's office's district station. Deputies also will be able to see views from the cameras on their laptops in their cars and the sheriff's office helicopter can be equipped to view the images.
"It's like a policeman standing *on your corner," Burton said.