The Downtown Business Association passed a resolution last week advising Downtown Mall business owners to install security cameras in their establishments.
Association Co-Chairman Bob Stroh clarified that his organization is neither requiring businesses to install cameras nor implementing its own comprehensive system; rather, the Association will play an advisory role throughout the process.
"The Downtown Business Association does not intend to put up cameras," Stroh said. "We are merely trying to come up with a plan that would serve the community by identifying a good system and advising people about it."
The Association hopes the installation of cameras will further efforts to protect its customers and, in the case of criminal activity, help identify the perpetrators. Charlottesville Police Charlottesville Police Lt. Ronnie Roberts said surveillance devices already have played positive roles in city law enforcement.
"I think that there's certainly some use for cameras in police work," Roberts said. "I think that it was very successful in one of the businesses up on the Corner in allowing us to identify an individual who had committed a criminal act against a University student."
Roberts also said cameras not only aid the judicial system after a criminal act has been committed, but can also serve as a preventative measure against illegal activity.
"I think if you read the latest articles about how photo red light programs have reduced traffic accidents and fatalities, I do think cameras in some aspects can serve as a deterrent," Roberts said.
The City of Charlottesville rejected the plan the last time it was discussed because of the state of the economy, City spokesperson Ric Barrick said.
"We talked about it several years ago, and mainly it was a financial issue," Barrick said. "Because of the economic climate, there were other things that the funds were allocated to."
This time, complaints have arisen from the public about infringement on privacy rights, Stroh said.
"There has been criticism from some members of the public," Stroh said. "They tend to be asking the impossible, saying 'I don't want to be on camera in public.' But there's cameras everywhere. It's not reasonable to seek privacy in public. And there have been so many stories of criminal activities solved and justice served through the aid of cameras. We want to do what we can."
Many Downtown Mall business owners think that the end results will far outweigh the drawbacks, Stroh said.
"A number of people spoke for the effort [during yesterday's meeting]," Stroh said. "I don't know yet exactly how much it's going to cost, but we feel it's only right if the public isn't going to provide that, then private enterprise should"
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