City Council has approved $250,000 to determine where surveillance cameras could be used to keep an eye on Columbus streets, 10TV's Jeff Hogan reported on Tuesday.

Security Risk Management Inc. will consult on the project.

"What I continue to hear from residents is they want as many tools in the toolbox as possible, and this is just one of those," said Councilman Andrew Ginther.

"The key here is really understanding the needs and expectations for privacy and setting limitations with safeguards in place to really ensure that the systems can't be abused," said Elliot Boxerbaum, a security consultant.

According to the city, there are already some neighborhoods that have passed resolutions to be pilots for the program. 

Some residents in the Weinland Park neighborhood voiced their concerns over the privacy issue but said their security was more important.

"My neighbors certainly don't want anything that's going to invade their privacy," said Joyce Hughes, who lives in the neighborhood.  "On the other hand, if it's going to promote safety, we're for that."

"We have never wanted the public to think that we are going to have to have a police officer, staff person, watching the monitor of areas the camera is going to be in," Ginther said.

According to Ginther, residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the surveillance cameras in their neighborhoods and decide whether they want them.

Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for additional information.