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Fall River City Hall's New Security Cameras Just 'Decoys'

FALL RIVER (CBS) --- City Hall is turning to decoy cameras to stop would-be thieves but some city councilors are baffled by the decision.

Fall River Herald newspaper reporter caught onto the fact that some of the new security dome cameras at One Government Center were fake. No wires are visible around the cameras and mounting screws are where a camera lens should be.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Laurie Kirby reports

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Councilor Dan Rego says he called Mayor Will Flanagan Thursday morning for answers but hasn't heard back.

"I was flabbergasted," Rego said. "I can't believe we would spend money on fake cameras."

Council President Joe Camara tells WBZ he doesn't agree with the idea of fake cameras being used as a security measure at City Hall.

The city chalked up $150 for a dozen fake cameras but didn't tell the City Council.

"We were inquiring about the cost of the cameras and they told us they'd tell us individually at another time and that they didn't want to get into any security measures about the cameras," Camara told WBZ. "Now I know why, because the cameras are fake."

Camara says he's been told some of the cameras are active and recording but others are just decoys.

Meanwhile, Flanagan says the discussion is not open to the public.

"We are always improving our security, and we will not have a public discussion," Flanagan told The Herald.

 

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