Atlanta seeks to add 500 surveillance cameras with BTOP funding

Atlanta is applying to the Department of Commerce for a slice of $4.7 billion in federal stimulus funding available through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. the city aims to expand a rather modest video surveillance -- a few dozen cameras monitoring select locations in the city every second -- to a network of more than 500 cameras on city streets. Atlanta officials envision their project spurring companies to expand broadband Internet services in certain parts of the city. Atlanta's application did not make the list of 22 Georgia recommended to the Commerce Department on Oct. 14 for $129.2 million in grants and loans. But that doesn't mean the city won't get the money it wants. In addition to Atlanta, the Worcester Housing Authority in Massachusetts; the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Union City, Calif.; and Dallas County Schools Inc. in Texas have all applied for the funding for surveillance and other purposes.