The City Council voted Monday to buy three surveillance cameras for mounting on power poles around town.

One would be placed at Evanston Township High School and be paid for by the school district, the other two would be used by city police.

Alderman Lionel Jean-Baptiste, 2nd Ward objected to the purchase, saying the $91,500 would be better spent on training programs to help troubled youths avoid a life of crime.

Alderman Ann Rainey, 8th Ward, defended the program saying the cameras are just one of many tools needed to fight crime.

The purchase was approved on a 7-2 vote.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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