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Atlanta Police tap into Big Brother cameras

Atlanta Police tap into Big Brother cameras

ATLANTA -- Smile. If you're in Atlanta, in public places, you're probably on camera, and police are watching you.

It's the same in many other Metro Atlanta cities, as well, which are relying on surveillance cameras more and more to try to prevent crime and catch criminals.

Now critics are questioning Atlanta's decision last week to spend $2.6 million in federal grants to expand the city's surveillance camera network to an unprecedented level.

What Atlanta is doing is entering into contracts with private businesses that have their own surveillance cameras.

As a result, the city is beginning to network thousands of private and public surveillance cameras, with live views of practically everywhere, to monitor and record live video at the city's 911 Center.

Fulton unemployment exceeds Ga. rate in June

Fulton unemployment exceeds Ga. rate in June

ATLANTA -- The preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta increased in 10.5 percent in June, according to Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

That's eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than the revised 9.7 percent in May.

"The increase was caused primarily by two seasonal factors," Butler said.

Get alerts when something happens in your neighborhood

Get alerts when something happens in your neighborhood

ATLANTA -- How would you like to know immediately when a crime or something suspicious happens in your neighborhood? You don't have to wait until you get the email from your homeowner's association president and you don't have to wait until it becomes rumor. You can get it in real time from a company called Village Defense.

Sharath Mekala came up with the idea for Village Defense after he was a victim of a home break in. Two years ago he got a call at work, his home alarm company notified him. "I came back home to a neighborhood of about 800 people and no one had noticed or seen someone kick my door in," Sharath said. "I realized the neighborhood didn't have an internal communication system."

He and Nathan Black came up with Village Defense, a real time mass notification system that alerts all residents of a neighborhood when a crime or suspicious activity happens.

BEST SPOTS: The Tabernacle

ATLANTA -- It has played host to many international rock stars, soul singers and stand-up comics; it's  Atlanta's oldest concert venue and it started out as a church. This week, the Where U Live team spoke with booker Adam Cohon about the history of the Tabernacle.

Summer in Georgia & peaches for weeks: What to do with those sweet GA peaches

Summer in Georgia & peaches for weeks: What to do with those sweet GA peaches

Atlanta, GA --  The blog Running With Tweezers has a great article including a variety of great recipes for this year's peaches.  If you have had one of this year's peaches you know they are just delicious!!!  Whether you want to make ice cream, a cake or a cobbler, @RunningWithTweezers.com has the perfect recipe for you.

Around here, we’re really fortunate to have summers full of local peaches. Growing up, they were one of my dad’s favorite foods and they made appearances at our house fairly regularly. Sliced on pound cake or angel food cake, on top of cottage cheese the old school way. In the colder months, he’d even eat canned peaches straight up with a spoon. While I’m not a proponent of the tinned variety, I’m a huge fan of the fresh ones grown here in the South.

MIDTOWN: Metro Atlanta crosswalk dangers

ATLANTA -- A Cobb County jury partially blamed a jaywalking mother for the death of her 4-year-old child. On Tuesday, Raquel Nelson was given the option of 12 months probation plus 40 hours of community service or a new trial.

RELATED: Jaywalking mom weighs new trial or probation

It's a tragic story that made headlines nationwide, especially after word got out that the man behind the wheel, Jerry Guy, wasn't behind bars very long.

In fact, he still has his drivers license, despite a history of driving problems.

One of the reasons why Nelson faced such a harsh sentence, is because investigators say she endangered her three children by jaywalking.

The jury believed she needed to use the crosswalk a long way away.

Get vaccinated before school starts

Get vaccinated before school starts

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- The 2011-2012 school year is about to begin for students in both Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools, which means that vaccination rush week is right around the corner.

The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness will administer required vaccinations for school entry at several locations from Monday, Aug. 1 to Friday, Aug. 12.

"During the rush weeks, the nursing division will focus on giving vaccinations, eye/ear/dental screenings and the required certifications for children to attend school," said Dr. Patrice A. Harris, director of Fulton County Health Services.

The county's back-to-school vaccination kickoff will take place Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Fulton Service Center (7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs).

Vaccinations will be given from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.