Strategically placed surveillance cameras will help police keep a watchful eye on downtown Tampa during the Republican National Convention.

However, when Jon Gales snapped a picture of a man installing one of the gadgets, he says he ran into trouble.

"He yelled at me and tried to get police to chase me, and I thought that was strange and interesting," he said.

After the encounter, Gales wanted everyone in Tampa to know just how many cameras are going up. So the 27-year-old computer programmer decided to do what he does best: make an app.



It took Gales one afternoon to spot all the cameras downtown. He counted 60.

He wants everyone to know where they are being watched.

"They have powerful zoom lenses," he said. "Some people aren't aware of it."

Most people aren't aware the cameras are not temporary. Tampa Police confirm they'll stay put after the convention.

"Those cameras are on public lightpoles in public places," police spokesperson Laura McElroy said. "It's not a secret."

For that reason, police aren't worried about protesters using the app to their advantage. They say it could even help officers.



"If people know if they're going to be on camera and it encourages them to be peaceful in their protesting, that's a good thing," McElroy said.

There are still many questions about the system though, like how long the video will be stored and for what purpose. Police haven't revealed that information, but Gales hopes to uncover it in the future.

"If it’s going to affect us for years afterward, it should at least be talked about," Gales said.

