Seminole County just spent $137,000 for a system public safety officials said will help them keep a better eye on the community.
The program allows officials to get live video from any surveillance camera it already has placed in schools, SunRail stations or the street.
County officials said the technology behind them could save lives in catastrophes, like school shootings or terrorist attacks.
"It is really the first of its kind across the nation and it's just being developed now so we are one of the first in central Florida to get it," said Alan Harris, Seminole County emergency manager.
The device will allow officials to tap into surveillance cameras at Florida Hospital Altamonte, the University of Central Florida, SunRail stations and public schools across Seminole County.
For some, it sounds like Big Brother is watching.
"The government, I think, takes too many freedoms from us as far as our privacy is concerned," said Seminole County resident Russell Driver,
Officials said they would only use the cameras to watch what is going on during emergencies.
And, they said, UCF, the hospital and SunRail must allow the county access.
"If I am a passenger on a train I want people to be watching if there is a threat on that train, I don't want to be hurt," said Harris.
While some don't like the idea of the cameras, others said it would make them feel more secure.
"I would feel safer, you know, that they could come to my rescue if I needed it," said Seminole County resident Ana Martinez
The $137,000 system was paid for by a Homeland Security grant. Other cities and counties are also looking at buying the equipment.
Seminole County officials said they hope to have the network operating sometime this summer.
The program allows officials to get live video from any surveillance camera it already has placed in schools, SunRail stations or the street.
County officials said the technology behind them could save lives in catastrophes, like school shootings or terrorist attacks.
"It is really the first of its kind across the nation and it's just being developed now so we are one of the first in central Florida to get it," said Alan Harris, Seminole County emergency manager.
The device will allow officials to tap into surveillance cameras at Florida Hospital Altamonte, the University of Central Florida, SunRail stations and public schools across Seminole County.
For some, it sounds like Big Brother is watching.
"The government, I think, takes too many freedoms from us as far as our privacy is concerned," said Seminole County resident Russell Driver,
Officials said they would only use the cameras to watch what is going on during emergencies.
And, they said, UCF, the hospital and SunRail must allow the county access.
"If I am a passenger on a train I want people to be watching if there is a threat on that train, I don't want to be hurt," said Harris.
While some don't like the idea of the cameras, others said it would make them feel more secure.
"I would feel safer, you know, that they could come to my rescue if I needed it," said Seminole County resident Ana Martinez
The $137,000 system was paid for by a Homeland Security grant. Other cities and counties are also looking at buying the equipment.
Seminole County officials said they hope to have the network operating sometime this summer.
WFTV
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