The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is deploying camera towers to ensure safe holiday shopping

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A new eye in the sky may be watching over your holiday gifts this year.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is deploying mobile camera towers at shopping centers across the city.

The goal is to stop criminals from checking your purchases.

“We are pleased to have our modular camera systems in place, all monitored by the Real-Time Crime Center,” the sheriff’s office said on social media Tuesday. “This friendly partnership will help ensure everyone in our community can enjoy a safe and enjoyable holiday shopping experience. So make the most of this wonderful time of year with family and friends, knowing that your safety is our top priority!”

The camera systems are located at Target at 9 Mile Road and University Parkway, the Tradewinds Shopping Center at Davis Highway and Burgess Road, and the Academy at University Mall on Davis Highway.

The 360° cameras not only monitor the parking spaces, but also the surrounding areas – live.

“This is the first year we’ve used them for holiday shopping,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons. “We used them at the fair, wherever we have large crowds. We also used them at the Blue Angels show on the beach.”

The sheriff says they could move the cameras around to get a better idea of ​​which stores are busiest.

“I want the criminals to know they were watching, so don’t even try,” he said.