With that as my starting point, I wonder if there isn’t way to use their presence as a marketing tool for downtown. See if this makes sense:
Assumption: Downtown would be “a better place” (ambiguous, I know) if more people lived, worked, shopped, and dined there.
Assumption: One of the deterrents to people doing those things is the perceived threat of crime.
Assumption: More “eyes on the street” (Jane Jacobs) would deter crime.
Assumption: Until there are enough “human eyes” (people) on the street to provide security, CPD and others attempt to meet this need through artificial ones (cameras).

This seems to be what is going on. But I wonder if what is missing is a big marketing campaign to tell the people we want to come downtown that they ARE being watched. Perhaps a couple news stories about how these cameras have been deployed (and camoflauged) and used to solve/reduce crimes. I’m sure this would spark some additional public debate about privacy, but that would only increase the level of awareness about them.

I guess the question is: are people willing to trade a little “privacy” (if there is such a thing in public spaces) for a more vibrant, successful downtown?

Alternatively, would advertising the cameras be admitting defeat to those we’re trying to attract (i.e., “downtown is so scary they need security cameras”)?

http://www.notbored.org/cincinnati-map.jpg