Iowa City business group proposes downtown cameras

A business group plans to use security cameras in downtown Iowa City to help deter crime in the popular spot for University of Iowa students.

The Downtown Association plans to install eight privately funded and operated security cameras in the next few months. The cost of the project is $37,000.

Association President Leah Cohen says footage will be stored by the security firm hired to install and maintain the cameras. It will pass along footage to the police department when a problem occurs.

One legal expert says the cameras could raise questions.

University of Iowa law professor Randall Bezanson says if the cameras go beyond protecting businesses and are being used to gather information on a public thoroughfare, it could raise invasion of privacy issues.

-- Associated Press