APD installs new security cameras in Virginia Highland neighborhood

ATLANTA — Atlanta police now have new eyes on one of the city's trendiest neighborhoods -- electronic eyes.

Several police security cameras have been installed in the Virginia Highland neighborhood, strategically placed to try to catch criminals red-handed.

"I don't see anything wrong with them keeping an eye on things," resident Georgia Deane told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon.

Several newly installed surveillance cameras will soon join several others already in operation that watch over the neighborhood's busiest areas.

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"It's more eyes for the police to be able to see what's happening," resident David Eckoff said.

The $13,000 cameras were paid for with a mix of public and private money.

Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan told Wilfon he worked hard to make the cameras happen.

"Overall I think the community appreciates and wants every tool possible in our tool belt to fight crime in the neighborhood," Wan said.

A crime map of the Virginia Highland neighborhood shows plenty of stolen cars and car break-ins in just the past two months.

Now, some of the crimes could be caught on camera, all of it watched back at the Atlanta Police Department’s video integration unit, which monitors cameras all across the city.

"Hopefully (they) will make folks, criminals, think twice about coming to a particular area," Wan told Wilfon.

The Virginia Highland Neighborhood Association told Wilfon it is trying to raise money to install even more of the cameras in the coming months.

Cox Media Group