A school district in Irving, Texas, plans to install more than 1,000 digital surveillance cameras at its campuses and other facilities.
Officials for the Irving Independent School District say the cameras will be in plain view for students, faculty and visitors to see, adding that the majority of the cameras will be placed at secondary schools, reported the Dallas Morning News.
McKinney Security Systems of McKinney, Texas, will supply the cameras to the schools. The surveillance equipment will be installed in areas where most problems break out, such as entrances and exits, hallways, cafeterias and outdoor areas. Cameras will be also be placed in kitchens at elementary schools and at the Irving Schools Stadium. The district plans to have the cameras running by fall.
The installation for the cameras and other security measures, including keyless entry and a visitor identification system will cost $3.5 million. The project is $1.5 million over the budget set by the school board in August.
Supporters of the new security measure believe the cameras will help with investigations into vandalism, theft and assault. Having the cameras in clear view, supporters say, will discourage crime.
Critics have voiced concerns about the cost of installation and the difficulties monitoring the surveillance footage. Opponents contend the cameras will not necessarily prevent crime, but do raise the potential for privacy issues.
