MELBOURNE, Fla. — Melbourne now has permanent security cameras up and running in downtown.

What You Need To Know

  • The city of Melbourne has 12 new security cameras operating in the downtown area

  • Officials say they are part of a push to increase security downtown

  • There is also an enhanced police patrol in the area on the weekends

Local business owners played a key role in the push, out of a desire to make the area safer.

Melbourne Main Street Executive Director Kim Agee says her goal each day is to make the area desirable and safe for visitors, tourists and locals to enjoy.

The city now has a dozen operational security cameras sprinkled along New Haven Avenue as part of an initiative that came to fruition after local businesses became concerned about safety due to some high-profile incidents that happened within the past few years.

“They are really excited about having the cameras and that extra layer of security, and really just restoring the community’s confidence in downtown,” Agee said.

The rollout began with a test camera the city put up at Campbell Park at the intersection of East New Haven Avenue and Melbourne Court. It was installed as a trial run for police to monitor 24/7.

City leaders say it went well enough others were installed shortly afterward.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey said they are trying to ward off issues like homelessness and some crime issues, especially on weekends.

“It’s something that we are trying to get with the times," Alfrey said. "It’s here to keep people safe and document issues, any events, anything we need to go back and look at, and see it in live time."

Once the new Melbourne Police Department opens in a few weeks, the cameras will be monitored from there.

In addition to the cameras, a police security detail is already in place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings patrolling the streets.

Agee says the goal is bringing awareness so people can come downtown without worry.

“It sends a message to the community that downtown is safe," she said. "We are taking all the measures that we can to impart all the personnel and technology, just like other towns across the country do."

Melbourne City Council approved the $140,000 cost for the installation of the 12 cameras at six locations.

The city has already installed cameras in the City Hall parking garage, where many people park to take the short walk to downtown.