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Bristol Borough Council Members Propose Streaming Surveillance Video On Television

By Jericka Duncan

BRISTOL BOROUGH, Pa. (CBS) - There are hundreds of television channels out there, but in one Bucks County community, there could soon be another. People may soon be able to watch a video feed of a police security camera -- from their couch.

"I personally don't like being viewed as I'm coming out my door," said Bashean Baxter of Bristol Borough.

Police surveillance cameras are constantly watching you.

"Doesn't bother me one way or the other," said Mary Ann Smoyer.

But what if you had access to what police are viewing?

Right now Bristol Borough council members are considering a proposal that would allow regular people to watch a vacant building at Pond and Wilson Streets, which is owned by the borough.

If the proposal is passed, residents could keep an eye on the building via the web or the local government access channel.

"It's not really a high crime area in Bristol Borough, so I don't see the significance of letting the community look at the building," said Baxter.

"When you have an abandoned building, it's good to know what's going on over there," said Bristol Borough resident Kimberly Bliss.

The idea is that the public could watch video surveillance and report a crime as it's happening. But then again, the Bristol Borough Police Chief Arnold Porter says those calls could be more of an annoyance.

"My only concern would be being inundated by calls such as there's kids riding bicycles across the lot," said Porter.

Chief Porter says there are roughly a dozen surveillance cameras throughout the small borough to help solve their top two crimes: theft and vandalism.

He says the borough will likely vote on the issue next month.

It's a different form of reality T.V. that doesn't pay to be a part of the program.

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