IRVING, Texas – A Texas school district plans to install more than 1,000 digital surveillance cameras in its schools.

Officials for the Irving Independent School District said about 1,200 cameras will be in plain view for students, faculty and visitors to see, adding that the majority of the cameras will be placed at secondary schools.

McKinney Security Systems will supply the cameras to the schools. The surveillance equipment will be installed in areas where most problems break out, such as entrances and exits, hallways, cafeterias and outdoor areas. Cameras will be placed in kitchens at elementary schools and at the Irving Schools Stadium. The district plans to have the cameras running by fall.

The installation for the cameras and other security measures, including keyless entry and a visitor identification system will cost $3.5 million – $1.5 million over the budget set by the school board in August.

Supporters of the new security measure believe the cameras will help with investigations into vandalism, theft and assault. Having the cameras in clear view, supporters said, will discourage crime.

However, critics voiced concerns about the cost of installation and the difficulties monitoring the surveillance footage. The opposition said the cameras will not necessarily stop crime, as there have been school shootings at schools that have security cameras. Also, the cameras raise a question about privacy, critics said.

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