WATCHING YOUR STEP: YOU MAY BE ON CAMERA MORE THAN YOU THINK

Maybe Big Brother isn't watching you now, but it's likely that someone is.

Surveillance cameras are used as a means of reducing theft and crime in stores, schools, shopping malls and even city streets. They've become so popular that their use has become a national issue.

There isn't an official statistic to cite, but it's likely that you are caught on a surveillance camera up to dozens of times a day or more between trips to the gas station and convenience store, bank, ATM or a visit to your child's school.

Many people think that surveillance cameras sometimes tucked into corners or displayed openly -- are an invasion of privacy. Others see them as a safety feature.

The Cape Girardeau City Council has considered changing its city ordinances to allow cameras to record motorists who run through red lights at traffic intersections.

Even without a camera atop the traffic lights in Cape Girardeau, you could be caught on tape as you walk across the campus at Southeast Missouri State University, on any local school bus, at a grocery store or discount store, gas station and your bank.

Doug Richards, head of university police, thinks the cameras at Southeast have helped keep the crime rates low on campus during their four years in use.

"It's one simple way to improve safety for all the people on our campus," he said. The cameras aren't used for traffic violators, only for security purposes.

The cameras are situated in public domain areas so they don't invade anyone's privacy. "We're being proactive with crime prevention," Richards said. "You don't need them on every corner but as a crime fighting tool, you put them in the high crime areas where you are vulnerable."

All the cameras on campus are monitored and recorded at the central dispatch location. Tapes are kept for days so that they can be reviewed should any crimes be reported later.

Richards admits people have to be cautious but there are benefits to closed-circuit television cameras.

Roger Tatum thinks surveillance cameras and closed circuit television only make sense in public schools where crime rates have risen.

Tatum is superintendent at Scott City Schools in Scott City, Mo., where students are recorded in hallways, parking lots and playgrounds. Cameras were installed last year.

"More than anything it's enhanced security with everything that goes on in schools today," said Tatum.

Cameras are mounted from the ceiling in hallways and on poles in the parking lots and playgrounds. The system runs around the clock.

At first students balked at the idea of being recorded, but they haven't complained since, he said. "I think it's helped give a sense of security to the students and teachers."

Cameras aren't used so much for security as they are for crime prevention and apprehension at Schnuck's.

Cameras are visible above the customer service desk, near an ATM and over the liquor department counter. Other cameras can track customers and employees as they move through the building.

The cameras have been a tremendous tool in apprehending shoplifters, said Dennis Marchi, store manager.

"It's helping our customers because we can keep prices down when we stop fraudulent checks and keep people from stealing," he said.

More people are worried about what happens to them after they get caught on tape and less concerned about the fact that they've been recorded, Marchi said.

Cameras don't always prevent crime but they can put people at less risk, Richard said. "You have to put them where you're most vulnerable for potential crime."