CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The Streetscape Project might be complete, but the City of Cape Coral might add more.
Last year, SE 47th Terrace underwent construction widening sidewalks and adding roundabouts. At the time, the city was looking to add technology to improve safety in the area. Cape Coral Police Department recommended adding license plate readers, cameras that scan vehicles passing by and send back information to the police department.
The Cape Coral City Council will vote on Monday whether or not to implement these cameras, but business owners on the street are not in favor of the idea.
Bob Mulroy, owner of Cork Soakers on the corner of SE 8th Court and SE 47th Terrace, doesn’t see the need for cameras, but instead a four-way stop sign at the intersection near his restaurant.
“I think if there is excess money… it could be spent somewhere else,” Mulroy said.
Down the street, another business owner feels the same. Owner of Ciao Wood Fired Pizza and Trattoria Jill Bacus says it’s an unnecessary expense.
“I think they’ve spent enough money in this area… you know for these readers and that kind of stuff…I think we have some other issues that the money could probably go for,” Bacus said.
She believes the area needs more parking and signage after Streetscape completed.
“Unfortunately they did take away all of our parking,” Bacus said. “You’re gonna have pedestrians walking across the street. And then you might have injuries if somebody’s flying and not paying attention.”
Cape Coral Police Department did not respond for comment about license plate readers.
Cape Coral City Council will vote Monday to implement the license plate readers.
