Oceanside, California — Oceanside police are asking for nearly $500,000 to install 54 cameras in most of the city’s downtown area to reduce crime.

If approved, the department will be able to access 24-hour real-time footage of the city center in busy areas close to retail stores, restaurants, beaches, and points along the North Coast Highway. The funds paid for the system came from Measure X, the increase in sales tax approved by voters in 2018.

This is on the agenda of the meeting held at Oceanside City Hall on Wednesday.

“Hopefully this will help us ensure the safety of people in the downtown area,” Oceanside police spokesman Tom Busy said.

A staff report showed that the city government staff and the police and fire committee recommended that the city council approve the purchase of cameras and related storage systems from DiscoverIT Solutions in Lake Forest, California.

The police said the system would store the video for up to a year before it was deleted, and the camera would only monitor public places.

“Usually, if something happens somewhere, they can go back and check, and if a crime is committed, they may identify the suspect,” Busy said.

Bussey added that many business owners are asking for more monitoring.

“I have personally been shot twice in my wireless store, once at the gunpoint,” said Rocky Rababia, owner of 101 Bagels and Subs on the North Coast Highway. “If I have a camera outside, it will help me.”

The plan still raises questions about privacy, even though Bussy said, “This is not what Big Brother is watching, that kind of thing.”

“This is not something we should always pay attention to,” he said.

Lababia said that these cameras may make residents and visitors feel safer in the community.

“I know some people are against it,” he said. “In the long run, I think it is safe for local residents.”