NEWS 25 - WEHT: Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro-Owensboro Turns Off Web Cam After NEWS 25 Investigation

Owensboro Turns Off Web Cam After NEWS 25 Investigation

story by Corey Allan

OWENSBORO - The city of Owensboro has two live streaming web cameras on their web site. One is next to the RiverPark Center, the other at English Park. With a single click, you're in control. Left and right, up and down, even zooming in. The ability to watch without anyone knowing.

"I was shocked. Potential pedophile stalkers, anything like that and the families they don't know they're being watched. You can learn somebody's routine or when and where they're going," said Brad DeHart.

City operations manager Tony Cecil tells us the city knew about the situation on Thursday, and asked the camera be turned off. Today it was still on, with the ability to look into resident's windows and cars in the parking lot... even getting someone's license plate.

"They never should have had so many options to pan and zoom. There is absolutely no need," said DeHart.

One resident who lives off Lock Avenue, her home visible off the web cam, says she isn't bothered by the uncontrolled accessibility.

"No it does not at all. I see it as a security measure rather than an invasive measure," said Kathy Bright-Novick.

DeHart showed us users have the ability to take freeze frame snap shots, and you can print them off.

"I think the city should have informed them that the cameras have that capability. I think there was way too many capabilities to offer," said DeHart.

While at English Park, we saw crews from the city of Owensboro inside working on the web cam, this time to turn it off.

Cecil tells us the city has had plans to move the English Park camera downtown near the Executive Inn property to show construction progress. No word if the English Park camera will be turned back on or if control limitation will be added.