Cameras Coming to Downtown Colorado Springs

A city surveillance system is one step closer to becoming a reality after a Tuesday majority vote favored the current downtown camera plan.

The vote fell 6-2 with Council President Scott Hente and Councilman Val Snider voting against the measure, and Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko absent from the meeting. Both Hente and Snider cited economic concerns as reasons for voting against the measure.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey’s proposal asks council for $237,000 to install the cameras and an additional $25,000 a year for maintenance. The cameras have a six year life span.

Councilwoman Angela Dougan, said during the meeting, that she favored trying the plan for a year, but that she wanted to see some information verifying that the 10 camera program had indeed be increasing public safety.

Although most speakers that were against the camera installation cited concerns over violation of rights, no council members mentioned that as an issue regarding their vote.