In Janesville, WI, the Business Improvement District has installed more than 30 security cameras to monitor the downtown riverfront district.
The BID has also asked downtown visitors and business owners to use the P3Tips app to report public safety concerns to the Janesville Police Department and Janesville Area Crime Stoppers.
No crime wave spurred the safety program, but downtown leaders wanted to improve perceptions of safety in the district.
The BID spent $55,000 of surplus funds to pay for the cameras and a private contractor to mount them on buildings and other private property downtown.
Now, the BID is looking for sponsors and downtown merchants to pay for additional cameras downtown.
The safety initiative, dubbed “Lights, Cameras, Action!” also included a public information campaign. Downtown workers hand out cards with information on the P3Tips app, and there are signs alerting visitors to the presence of cameras.
More on improving safety and the perception of safety appears regularly in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
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