SARASOTA, Fla. — Survaliance cameras placed throughout the city of Sarasota are up, but not all of them are running.
The city said it's working on getting them back online.
Some residents in the community said having the cameras down has them worried about their safety.
Foster Paulk, 89, said the cameras were put up to help reduce crime.
“If you are abiding by the law you shouldn’t worry,” Foster said.
The problem is the city said not all of these cameras work.
“If they’re not working do away with them,” Foster said.
Some cameras haven’t worked for years, including when Jabez Spann disappeared 18 months ago. His skeletal remains were found this week in Manatee County.
The city budgeted $100,000 to assess all 200 cameras around the city to see how many need to be fixed or replaced.
The city said some cameras are out of date, some lacked maintenance and others have issues with their microwave signals because of new construction in the area.
The city released a statement about the status of the cameras:
“We are working to streamline and improve the camera program by centralizing coordination and oversight. The City anticipates that a firm will be under contract soon to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the cameras to determine functionality. Some of the cameras no longer work due to age, wear and tear, as well as technology and the interference of new buildings being constructed. Once a vendor is in place and the assessment is complete, determinations will be made for camera repairs, replacements, improvements and continued maintenance. ” - City of Sarasota
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