Columbia, SC (WLTX)- The Columbia Police Department is still investigating a shooting on North Main Street that left one man dead. They are hoping surveillance cameras will help.
"It's definitely a deterrent," said Tommy Burkett.
In April of this year, the Columbia Police Department targeted North Main Street as one of their top 5 areas for crime.
The North Columbia Business Association wanted to help put a stop to it and installed more than 50 surveillance cameras along North Main Street.
"We have noticed a change especially in the area where we have installed the cameras the crime ratio has gone down," said Burkett.
Burkett is the president of the association and he says the cameras are making residents and business owners feel safer.
"It's not only helping businesses it is helping the community also because when you have less crime that is going to bring in more business and the more business the better the community is. "
He is hoping that the cameras can help investigators solve the crime that happened over the weekend.
Burkett has seen firsthand that the cameras work.
"There was one that happened last week and if it had not been for the camera and the location, they would have not known what the guy was doing."
Burkett doesn't think law enforcement can ever permanently stop crime.
"You can't stop them because when they do one, it is like learning a new trade; they are going to continue to do it whether they go to jail or when they get out."
But he says with the help of the community they can help cut down on it.
"The investment, if you can detour one crime the investment has paid off."