May 30, 2013 1 min read

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – An audit has found many of Philadelphia’s surveillance cameras aren’t working.

City Controller Alan Butkovitz says auditors found about two-thirds of the 202 cameras have fallen into disrepair. He says the problems include blurry or jagged images, objects blocking visibility and other issues. He says the $17 million system is giving citizens a false sense of security.

But Mayor Michael Nutter says he thinks the report is full of inaccuracies. He says that by the administration’s count 85 percent of the cameras were working as of Monday.

The city began installing the cameras to help police as a crime-fighting tool in 2008.

Butkovitz says the city needs to start a program to ensure that the cameras receive regular cleanings and maintenance. Nutter says the city already has a maintenance program.