ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Cameras keep an eye on what's going on at one Anne Arundel County school -- and now more schools plan to add cameras.

Some "extra eyes" roam the hallways of South River High School, under the guise of surveillance cameras -- lots of them. The cameras were installed to keep students safe and to take a bite out of crime, WBAL-TV 11 News education reporter Tim Tooten reported.

Not much goes unnoticed at South River High School because one month ago, crews installed 32 cameras to help administrators keep track of students and head off potential problems.

"They are pretty much all positive. I don't see where students would be a little bit intimidated by cameras in every hall, but overall, I think, in terms of a discipline aspect, it's a good thing for the school," student Stephen Phillips said.

Last year, students painted racist graffiti in the hallways at South River. Those responsible were eventually caught, but now, with cameras, students don't believe it will happen again.

"I think they are good for us because last year we had a lot of problems happen, cameras will catch them and people won't be in the air on what happened and lies and stuff won't go around," student Brianna Wilson said.

The cameras are monitored most times by the school's resource police officer, but video images can be pulled from any computer 24 hours a day, Tooten said.

Video

High Schools Turning To Surveillance To Cut Crime

For the most part, the high-tech help is getting a nod from parents.

"I'm happy if they have as much information about where our children are at all times as possible," parent Cindy Crockett said.

"The privacy act to children, [schools should] take that into consideration. And again, with everything that's going on in schools and everywhere, you really do need to take some extra precautions," parent Kathy Lannon said.

School officials said the cameras are helping them get more done around campus, instead of physically keeping track of every problem.

"We are not walking around and monitoring what people are doing, it's not big brother time. It's really an opportunity for us to provide some sense of order as well as to ensure proper supervision," principal George Beaumont said.

At least two other high schools have video camera systems, which are being upgraded. Two additional schools will be on line by next year, Tooten reported.

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