RACINE - Security cameras are scheduled to be installed on five city street corners in the next few weeks. Along with the cameras comes a new Racine Police Department policy about how they will be used.

The policy states that the cameras, operated by the Police Department, will only observe areas that are in public view and will not record audio. The Police Department also will publicly notify residents before posting the cameras unless it is adding the cameras for extenuating circumstances such as an undercover investigation, Police Chief Kurt Wahlen said.

Wahlen approved the policy in April. He presented it to the City Council on Tuesday after 11th District Alderman Greg Helding asked for more information about future plans for the cameras. Helding said he didn't want to see cameras going up around the city without talking about it first.

"Rather than do things piecemeal … I thought we should discuss it out front," Helding said.

Alderman Robert Anderson of the 2nd District said he has heard positive feedback about the cameras and he supports them.

"It's a high-tech beat cop the way I see it," Anderson said.

The cameras will not be used to target individuals solely because of race, gender, ethnicity or other classifications, the policy states. Some of the cameras' purposes are to prevent crime, reduce fear and identify criminal activity and suspects.

Wahlen said he would like to see cameras that are funded by residents or commercial property owners. He also would like cameras in city parking ramps and on parts of Superior Street.

The five cameras that are scheduled to be going up soon will be near the new Community Oriented Policing House, 1146 Villa St. The street corners chosen for installation include: 11th Street and Grand Avenue; Ninth Street and Villa Street; 12th Street and Villa Street; 10th Street and Center Street; and Ninth Street and Washington Avenue.

"This is a test run for us. We don't know anyone who has a system like this," Wahlen said. "We are on the cutting edge for this."

Wahlen will determine the future locations based on input from crime statistics, community groups, residents and officers, the policy states.

The goal is to have police watch the cameras through screens in their cars or have private residents watch cameras from home, Wahlen said in his presentation.

It cost $50,000 for a system that includes five cameras. Additional cameras will cost about $5,000 each, Wahlen said.