Going downtown to party? Get ready to be on camera.
For the El Paso Police that is. The department has installed 42 cameras in and around downtown, including 24 in Union Plaza and 18 at San Jacinto Plaza. They are intended to “ensure citizens safety while in that area,” according to the El Paso Police Department.
They have the ability to record 24 hours a day and are monitored at all times by staff at police headquarters. The cameras can even tilt, zoom and focus into nearly any public spot, including your car on the street.
The video can and have already helped police assist in identifying individuals wanted in connection to crimes or other official police business. Persons who visit the Entertainment District are notified that there is a camera monitoring system in place. This notification is made in the form of metal signs.
El Paso is the latest city to join in a host of other Texas cities and larger metropolitan cities across the U.S., in the use of camera monitoring systems. The video is not available to the public.
The cost of the cameras was not available at the time of publication.
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