LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Dozens of surveillance cameras will be placed throughout Little Rock in hopes of catching criminals in the act, and police are canvassing the River Market high above the streets.
Sergeant Cassandra Davis, with the Little Rock Police Department, said multiple surveillance cameras assist officers in their efforts to keep Little Rock safe. Now, police hope 50 more cameras will help fight crime city-wide.
"We've been able to get still shots, video of suspects who have been involved in robbery of individuals. We've had some success in identifying suspects involved in crimes in the River Market," said Sgt. Davis.
Davis said Tuesday night city leaders approved half a million dollars to purchase and install video cameras throughout the city.
"We're just expanding that technology. We hope to put cameras in different areas of the city. After we look at these areas and look at crime trends and see if certain crimes are occurring in a certain area," she explained.
Sergeant Davis said these cameras will not invade anyone's privacy, but instead will make police presence known at all times.
"It will be visible; it will be marked with police, with a blue light. We believe it will deter some criminal activity," she said. The cameras will be portable and can be relocated depending on crime trends.
Davis said she hopes this new type of police work pays off.
"It's an effort to reduce crime in our city and having it visible. Hopefully, someone will say, hey, the police are in the area. Although, they don't see a police car, they do see the police camera," She added. "So, hopefully it will bring the numbers down by reducing the amount of crime."
Davis said if the newly purchased cameras can be integrated into their existing system, they could be up and running by this summer.