Lincoln Police say they’re turning on security cameras in downtown in an effort to curb crime in the area. The cameras were installed at 14th & O Streets in November 2012, but haven’t been turned on until now.

According to Lincoln Police Chief Jim Peschong, in one year the city sees over 4,000 reported assaults, 146 of those happened at that intersection. That’s more than any other part of the city and now the intersection is at its highest level of crime, according to Peschong.

He hopes the cameras will help catch people causing trouble, but some wonder if they will keep the mischief away or just customers in general. Some downtown business owners told city leaders in July that they’re worried that new security cameras may scare customers away.

“It is another tool to portray 14th & O Street inaccurate,” said Scott Hatfield, who has owned Duffy’s Tavern for six years. Officials say in addition to helping the police department identify those involved in a crime, police say the footage can serve as evidence in court.

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