ST. MARTIN PARISH, LA (KLFY) -- Crime cameras are meant for exactly what it sounds like: catching wrongdoings on video. St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin said the city's crime rate has lowered since installing cameras around the city.

"We don't have as many calls," Martin said. "The call volume went down to like two or three calls a shift."

The cameras were installed right after Mayor Jason Willis took office in 2022. Martin said Mayor Willis made necessary upgrades to the city, and one was tackling crime. Police found areas where a lot of traffic was happening and set up cameras in those spots.

"They couldn't do their business here anymore," Martin said. "They decided, well, let's move to this block and then we put cameras on that block. Then they said, well, let's move with this block. St. Martinville is not a big city, right? They ran out of blocks."

Martin said they are currently on phase three of the program as each phase included the installation of more cameras. One resident who lives next to where cameras were agreed they help.

"It was getting out of hand before we had the cameras," the resident said. "Now that we have cameras and able to operate them from the own police department, I feel like it's lessened the crime a lot."

The chief said with the help of cameras, the department is able to focus on other duties as police officers.

"We have more time to do community-oriented policing," Martin said.

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