More surveillance cameras may be coming to a street corner near you. Some members of Philadelphia City Council are looking to improve the city's camera system at a public hearing on Monday afternoon.
"It makes everything safer" said one resident of North Philadelphia.
In December, cameras on the Market-Frankford El help catch a man firing shots into a subway car. Last month, camera images in Center City helped police track down a suspect in a doctors murder.
And when police officer Moses Walker was gunned down, video posted by police helped catch an alleged cop killer.
"I think they should add more cameras. I mean protection is for everybody. If everybody's safe then I don't mind more cameras. If you aren't doing anything bad what do you have to hide?" says Steven Emerson of West Philadelphia.
Recently a delegation headed by Council President Darrell Clarke traveled to Baltimore where the city is known as a model where more than 600 cameras are in use in it's Citiwatch program.
In Philadelphia, there are 200 public cameras but at any one time more that 25-percent of them don't work.
"I personally have a lot of friends and they are in the streets. When they see a camera it gives them pause. They'll go somewhere else. Stop what they're doing. It works" says Basim Mathis of North Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Police YouTube channel has more than 2.8 million views.
A high ranking police source estimates up to half of investigations use surveillance video. That's why the city is hoping to team up with more businesses and private residences to put more cameras on the street.
But some worry that big brother-may be going too far.
"I want to have a private moment walking down the street without people looking at me. I think the city has too many cameras" says William Li, a student at Temple University.
The hearing on surveillance cameras is being held at 12 p.m. on Monday, February 11 in Room 400 in City Council Chambers.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:20:21 GMT
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
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A high ranking police source estimates up to half of investigations use surveillance video.
This surveillance image released in January shows Dr. Melissa Ketunuti the same day she was murdered.
