Many large cities already use security cameras to monitor their streets. Now that technology is being used to deter crime in downtown Stevens Point.

The camera was installed a few weeks ago by Horgan Sales and Service, a local security company. It sits on a light pole right by the Stevens Point Farmers' Market.

It's actually similar to security cameras used at the Pentagon. Using a computer, the controller can rotate, tilt, and zoom in the camera to specific areas, giving them a 360 degree view of the downtown square.

"From where the camera sits, you can see the Division Street intersection there, so it has a pretty powerful lens," says Mike Horgan, president of Horgan Sales and Services.

Lt. Ron Carlson says signs will be put up, letting people know the area is under video surveillance. The department is training officers to operate the camera, and putting a policy together for appropriate use. He hopes it will make downtown patrons think twice before committing a crime.

"We want to see how effective a tool it can be in reducing theft, vandalism, disorderly conduct, those type of incidents in a downtown area," says Lt. Carlson.

Carlson adds it's important to have what he calls an "individual witness" to these crimes. He says he can think of no better witness than a surveillance camera.