(wtsp)
The Republican National Convention won't just bring pomp and pageantry to Tampa this summer, it will also bring permanent security improvements in the form of eyes in the sky.

The City of Tampa has budged $2 million of its $50 million in federal convention security funds for 60 surveillance cameras to be installed downtown. Six companies, including IBM, recently submitted bids, which will be unveiled in February.

The Tampa Police Department says the high-tech eyes will help reduce the number of officers' eyes needed. Thousands of protesters are expected at the week-long event.

But critics of the cameras say the $2 million could be better spent.

"Not only is it an invasion of privacy, but it's a huge waste of taxpayers' money," said John Dingfelder, the senior attorney for the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) of Florida...
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