COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
At nearly every corner on Main Street, cameras are watching you.
There are one-hundred cameras in downtown Columbia's business improvement district from Gervais Street to Elmwood Avenue.
"We just want everyone to know if you're downtown you'll be safe," said Matt Kennell."The bad guys are being watched."
Matt Kennell is president of City Center Partnership.
According to Kennell, additional cameras are necessary because of Main Street's growth.
Carey Shealy, with Statewide Security System's says recently his camera caught a man stealing from a Main Street store.
"The cameras are very effective," said Shealy. "Everywhere we've installed them we've caught crime and solved crime."
Columbia Police say since January, Main Street area thefts are down 30%.
The $60,000 project is being paid by taxpayers in that district and from the city's hospitality tax.
The city has also added 25 cameras to Columbia's Historic North Main Street.
Tommie Burkett is president of the North Columbia Business Association.
"They are really doing what they're supposed to do," said Burkett. "They helped us slow down crime in this area and I think the camera's have a lot to do with that."
Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott supports the idea, but says it's costly.
The average price for a set of four cameras is $2900.
"If we had the money in my budget I would spend the money on cameras," said Chief Scott. "Yes I would."
"If we have to pay for it," Burkett added. "Our businesses, then that's what we're going to do."
Now the city's focus is on this district as they search for new money for more cameras.
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