Parramore residents want more neighborhood security cameras

ORLANDO, Fla. — The security cameras installed in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood have worked so well, residents want more of them.

A private donation four years ago paid to install 17 cameras and neighbors who spoke with Channel 9 said they're eager to get 30 more in the neighborhood.

Resident Robert Woodyard, a recovering crack addict, is on a mission to get drug dealers and other criminals out of Parramore.

"We want them out of our neighborhoods," said Woodyard. "We want them out of our yards. We want them off our street."

Woodyard and the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church said they have collected 600 signatures asking the city to install 30 more cameras.

"I've got proof right here that people want cameras in their neighborhood," said Woodyard. "I happen to know a young lady there who signed the petition. She doesn't let her children go out and play because of the drugs and prostitution and crime."

"Police can't be everywhere but a camera can take a whole lot of space," said the Rev. Glendy Hamilton.

A U.S. urban neighborhoods study found that for every $1 a city spends on a surveillance camera, it can save more than $4, money that doesn't have to be spent on victim's expenses and court costs.

In just one block in front of the Amway Center, Channel 9 spotted six surveillance cameras.

"It used to be full of people, guys out there selling their drugs," said Woodyard. "The streets are (now) clear."

"We should not have to live in fear. The children need to be safe," said resident Nina Jones.

Channel 9 asked Mayor Buddy Dyer and Commissioner Daisy Lynum if the city would consider adding more cameras, but neither has yet responded.

WFTV