Jacksonville Beach Police Department to use cameras to keep an eye on 4th of July celebrations

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Last year fewer than five security cameras were up and running in Jacksonville Beach.

This year there are dozens.

MORE: Pedestrian safety concerns at Jacksonville Beach ahead of 4th of July

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department plans to not only patrol the streets, but will have a command center in place to monitor dozens of cameras along the beaches.

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The more than $1 million system was put in place 15 months ago and is used daily but especially during special events like the Fourth of July.

“We have about 40 total, and that doesn’t include special cameras for buildings and that kinda thing,” said Mark Evans, police commander with the JBPD.

While cameras can’t stop crime they can record it.

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Two years ago, Glen McNeil Jr. was shot and killed shortly after Fourth of July celebrations outside the beach bars.

It was a case that showed the urgent need for cameras.

Since then, they have been used to help solve crimes at the beaches.

“We are able to go back into our cameras pinpoint what took place if anything and try to go from there.” Evans said.

Cox Media Group