NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - More surveillance cameras and license plate readers are coming to Murfreesboro. The city council approved the contract during their meeting last night.
So far this year, Murfreesboro Police say their cameras and license plate readers have helped solve over 125 cases. They say adding more cameras will help keep the city safer.
Resident Tasha Justice said she would like to see more cameras, saying it would help bolster feelings of security in the area. The issue is especially top of mind after Saturday's shooting that left two people hurt at Old Fort Park.
"I almost didn't want to come back here to the park today, but we're here kids need to play," said Tosha Justice. She was at the park and left just two hours before the shooting happened.
Murfreesboro City Council approved a contract that would add 34 license plate readers and 26 video cameras in and around city parks and greenways.
During Thursday night's meeting the Police Chief Michael Bowen spoke about how effective the technology has been with solving and identifying issues across the city, from stolen vehicles, Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts and other types of violent crimes.
"We're saving investigators time being able to obtain this information," said Chief Bowen. Providing critical information in more than 400 cases last year along with recovering 55 stolen vehicles.
According to the city's 2025 Annual Report, Crime Analysts also assisted with clearing over 200 criminal cases ranging from hit-and-run crashed to homicides.
Some say they want to see more cameras.
"I think that's great because the kids need to feel safe," said Delisa Parks, who was at Old Fort Park with her granddaughter.
"For us, it feels safer because we know, if something does happen, we can find the people easier. And you can see what happens instead of it being a guessing game. The other part is maybe those who want to do things do it because they feel they can get away with it. If there's cameras and license plate readers, there's a lot more accountability," said Justice.
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Some say they don't want more cameras because they don't want to feel like they're being watched. That issue was addressed in Thursday's council meeting. Police say they often only review the cameras after a crime happens, and video is usually deleted after 30 days.
Plus, only a small group of officers have access to the data.
"As long as the city does its job as it's intended to, I feel I'm okay with it," said Garrett Taylor.
The three-year contract will cost the city $517,832. A price some say is worth it to feel safer in their community.