A group of residents question whether police cameras are the right fit for Ocean Beach.
Police plan to install 10 security cameras from Newport Avenue to Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. The money comes from $25,000 set aside by City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf.
Not everyone thinks the cameras are in line with the community’s relaxed image.
“This is Ocean Beach and this is America,” said Rick Callejon of Ocean Beach Citizens Against Privacy Abuse. "We really don’t want to be like London, where people are being recorded everywhere, constantly.”
Callejon worries crime may move away from the cameras, into the neighborhoods and businesses. While members of the Ocean Beach Main Street Association tend to support cameras.
“We’ve had many instances where someone has been arrested, but because there was no film, we just didn’t have enough proof,” said Denny Knox, executive for Ocean Beach Main Street Association.
Callejon is scheduled to make an appeal to the town planning commission at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday.
According to Zapf's office, they and the police have made presentations to the community. With the money in hand, police have the go ahead to begin installation early next year.
