San Francisco port to install camera system

San Francisco port to install camera system The Port of San Francisco plans to spend $1.5 million of a $3.1 million state Homeland Security grant to install a video surveillance system throughout the port area.
   The port authority had requested funds for the system in a federal Department of Homeland Security grant application last year, but was eventually denied. The proposal was approved by the state Office of Homeland Security in March under the condition that the system be completed before March 2010.
   The cameras, which will cover nearly seven miles of waterfront, are being installed to detect terrorist threats and combat vandalism and metal thefts.
   Thefts of metals, which have reached record paces in the past several years throughout the nation as the price of scrap metal has skyrocketed, are costing the port hundreds of thousands of dollars a year according to port officials.
   The port said that despite only having two staff security officers, the cameras are expected to be regularly monitored.
   Numerous California ports have installed camera systems, including Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland and Richmond.