There’s a proposal in place to purchase two new surveillance cameras for the city.

The cameras would have 180-degree lenses and would allow a complete view of the Dundas and Richmond intersection without the need to rotate the cameras.

That’s important because a 10-year analysis of the downtown security camera system has shown it to be an effective tool for police, but there are also shortfalls.

Some 50 per cent of the time, the cameras have failed to capture incidents of interest for police investigations because they are pointed in the wrong direction.

In the 209 times police looked at video,  in only 87 cases was the incident actually captured on tape. That’s a rate of 42 per cent.

There is also no conclusive evidence that they deter crime.

Security cameras have monitored downtown streets since 2001 and have garnered mostly positive reviews from Londoners.

“I think it’s a good idea to have cameras down here,” says Londoner Benny Kusk.

If the two cameras are given the green light at city hall, their $5,000 cost would be covered by the existing budget.