State Dock upgrades security cameras

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The chief executive of the Alabama State Port Authority Jimmie Lyons said the facility has received about $500,000 in federal grant money for port security.

About 140 cameras keep an eye on what's happening on Alabama's state docks. Those cameras, in the past, have stopped criminals in their tracks.

"We haven't caught any terrorist. We've caught some would be thieves and others," said Lyons.

Now, through a federal grant, those cameras will be upgraded.

The advanced technology will a keep an eye on intruders trying to jump the fences and will alert operators if something is moved out of place.

"Each camera can be programmed individually to determine what acceptable behavior is and what is not," said Lyons.

Since 9/11, federal law requires that all marine terminals dealing with international trade have to be secured. Lyons said Alabama has one the best security plans in the country and the new cameras will make it even better.