Cameras installed in East Ocean View

NORFOLK, Va. - Engineers will flip the switch Wednesday, to turn on the the first surveillance cameras installed in the East Ocean View area of Norfolk.

The first camera went up at the intersection of 12th Bay Street and Pleasant Avenue, Tuesday.  Denby Park and Huntersville are also scheduled to get three cameras each by next month.

The cameras play a major role in Norfolk's Project Focus program that is aimed at stopping crime in some Norfolk neighborhoods.  It took about three years to happen, but Tuesday, with the blessing and protest of residents, the first camera was installed.

"I think it would be a good idea because we need some protection in the area," says Gertrude Sutton.

Sutton watches from her Pleasant Avenue home as crews work to install the first of three surveillance cameras in her neighborhood.

"I don't have a problem with it. You know, if it's for a safety reason, but some people look at it as you're getting into my privacy where I live at."

Officials say the cameras will allow Norfolk police to monitor the streets live from laptops in their patrol cars or at headquarters.

"Actually be able to span Pleasant Avenue and adjoining streets and be able to see just how finite the cameras are in picking up license plate numbers and things that are really critical like that," says Norfolk City Councilman Randy Wright.

Wright fought for security cameras since crime escalated in East Ocean View over the last few years.
He says he understand the invasion of privacy concerns the anti-crime cameras may cause, but he believes they are a necessity to keep residents safe.

"We've said from day one, this is not a cure all or fix all. It is an additional tool that will help us to combat crime in East Ocean View."

Wright tells WAVY.com the final six cameras will be installed in Denby Park and Huntersville soon and they'll be running by January.