Chicago to use cameras to aid street cleaning

The city of Chicago is expanding its surveillance cameras from high crime spots and red-light runners to motorists who block the city's street sweepers.

Mayor Richard Daley on Wednesday introduced an ordinance to the City Council that calls for the installation of cameras on street sweepers. The cameras would photograph the temporary no-parking signs posted on street-sweeping days as well as vehicles who defy them. Violators would receive $50 tickets.

Daley said the effort would save the city money because police won't have to be called to the scene to issue tickets.

If the City Council approves, cameras would be installed on six of the city's 60 sweepers.

Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Mike Picardi says the city is not trying to generate revenue with the cameras. He says the only concern is clean streets.