The city of Oswego put millions of dollars into developing downtown and making it more attractive. Now the city wants to protect that investment.

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow says safety and security are the driving forces behind the installation of these new security cameras.

"It just gives more confidence for downtown property owners and for the city to invest in their property, knowing it probably won't be vandalized like it has been before,” Barlow said.

Emil Christmann manages the River's End Bookstore. He supports the new technology, even though he's never considered the need for better security.

"I was born and raised here, I've always felt pretty safe downtown,” Christmann said. “I've never felt like we really needed surveillance of this type. But I could understand why it might be a good idea."

So far, the city has put up 20 out of the 26 total security cameras. They're on State Route 104, along the West Riverwalk, and in Water Street Square.

Money for the cameras comes from the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. Part of that initiative includes the “Complete Streets” project — which resulted in the new benches, landscaping, and pedestrian crosswalks onState Route 104, as well as the renovation of Water Street and creation of a new “pocket park,” Water Street Square.  

"We're beginning to take more pride in our community than I think we have in probably decades; not only in downtown but in our neighborhoods, on our waterfront,” Barlow said.

Christmann believes the city is headed in the right direction.

"I think we could attract more people to the community, get a lot of new energy here,” Christmann said. “We have a nicer, newer, fresher, cleaner downtown."

And with these new security cameras, we now have a safer downtown too.