Daytona Beach plans to install more cameras, lights along streets with safety concerns

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach leaders hope to reduce crime by adding hundreds of cameras and lights to parts of the city.

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Residents and businesses have pushed for enhanced public safety since two people were murdered last year during Bike Week.

The city is working to make that happen and will start adding lights and cameras near Seabreeze Boulevard in Daytona Beach.

Seabreeze Boulevard is well-lit, and most businesses have their own cameras, but side streets like Wild Olive, which was where the Bike Week murders happened, do not have many lights and do not have cameras.

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Residents want changes to be made so people can feel safe walking from neighborhoods to local businesses.

Lyle Trachtman, owner of Seabreeze Fine Jewelry in Daytona Beach, said surveillance is a top priority.

“We have had cameras forever,” he said. “And a lot of times, we have to go on to them to help the police.”

But law enforcement will soon be able to skip that step when they respond to crime.

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For the past year, Mayor Derrick Henry has met with business owners and neighbors to form a plan to enhance public safety.

He said the community’s message is clear.

“Two of the best things you can do in terms of safety (are) lighting and cameras,” he said.

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Hundreds of cameras could be purchased and placed around the city as early as this summer. It would start with Seabreeze and eventually expand to other areas.

“I think it should definitely be on MMB, Martin Luther King, Mason (and) some parts of the International Speedway,” Henry said.

The city wants to install more lights, which Seabreeze owners hope will help people feel safe and boost business.

“A lot of times when there’s a problem on this street, it’s late (or) early morning,” Trachtman said. “It’s a no-brainer; it definitely needs to be done and should be done.”

The cost of the project is a little more than $1 million.

Video: Man accused of killing Daytona Beach couple found incompetent to stand trail A Volusia County judge has ruled that a man accused of murdering a Daytona Beach couple is incompetent to stand trial. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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