Privately funded security cameras could aid police in downtown Iowa City

Businesses fed up with what they call “bad behavior” frequently exhibited at Iowa City's pedestrian mall will soon install cameras on the sides of buildings to encourage those prone to commit heinous acts to think before they act.

“We're concerned about the perception of what can go on in the ped mall and how people see that,” explained Leah Cohen, president of the Downtown Association.

Cohen said the Association has received numerous reports from businesses owners and their employees describing instances of panhandling, harassment, and even drug dealing that they believe is threatening public safety.

“It frightens people,” said Cohen.

It is no secret that Iowa City's ped mall has historically been a breeding ground for bad behavior.

Last year, the uptick in male-on-male violence there prompted Iowa City Police Department to start nightly patrols of the area.

But, it is not just the fighting between drunken strangers or the late-night crimes that is most concerning Cohen.  It is what business owners and employees claim is happening in broad daylight.

For instance, last June a late afternoon scuffle between two people led to an attempted stabbing.

Cohen says there are people sitting at the pedestrian mall for 12-14 hours a day harassing people and businesses will not tolerate it anymore.

Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said the human rights organization does not support the move for more cameras in downtown Iowa City.

Stone argues the cameras raise questions about imposing on a person's privacy and potential abuse by operators.

Cohen said images captured by the camera will be monitored by a private company hired to install the cameras.  Those images would only be released to police if requested after an incident occurred.

“It's not to be Big Brother to anyone,” said Cohen.

The Downtown Association will spend $37,000 to install the cameras on visible places on privately-owned buildings as part of a three-year pilot program to test whether surveillance cameras reduce violent behavior.