| By Big Radio News Staff |
Janesville’s Business Improvement District continues to refine a system of more than two dozen security cameras it’s placed downtown.
Downtown BID member Bekki Kennedy quarterbacked the BID’s “Lights, Camera, Action!” campaign — a privately-operated downtown camera system that puts security cams on local storefronts and light posts downtown.
Kennedy says there are now about 30 security cameras linked into the BID’s system.
Many of the cameras are tethered to a console at Janesville police headquarters that cops can view on a complaint basis, or when crimes are called in downtown areas covered by security cameras.
Kennedy says the cameras have boosted police response to bar-time fights and other illegal activity reported downtown.
The cameras are paid for with BID funds. The BID plans to improve the cameras’ link to the PD’s monitoring system. They’ll also add more signs to inform people the downtown’s being monitored.
Kennedy says the some female business operators downtown are able to use their cell phones to check their BID security camera before they leave work to head home for the night — something Kennedy says gives them comfort.
