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Celebration residents push for cameras that screen drivers

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Some residents in Celebration are pushing to have special cameras set in their community to screen who comes in and out of the neighborhood.
 
The front-porch community wants to place cameras that read license plates around the neighborhood in an effort to screen drivers.
 
A petition is recirculating online to install the cameras in hopes to prevent crime.  
 
"I think it's a wonderful idea. Anything to cut down on crime. Every car coming in, getting recognized is a good thing," resident Gary Lovini said.
 
Many residents have complained on internal Celebration websites about break-ins and car thefts. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office said crime stats are down in the town.
 
Stats showed 34 burglaries in 2013 and 27 last year. Some homeowners said they didn't mind using their own homeowner's fees to pay for the cameras.
 
"Anything to cut down on crime. I don't mind paying for that, even paying more for that," Lovini said.
 
The Community Development Board shot down the proposal last year, but residents have tried resurrecting it.
 
"I'm from Europe. Everything is liberal. I like the conservative way where people are taken care of in a way," resident Baard Sjoeborg said.
 
Celebration already employs a full-time deputy and is considering bringing in another. The Sheriff's Office said they have no opinion on the cameras, but would utilize it if it was installed.