Students say they don't even notice them. But they notice students.
Two security cameras greet students as they exit the restrooms on the second floor of Dane Smith Hall.
"I didn't even know they were there," said Heather Sands, UNM student.
Departments use security cameras at will to monitor activity in buildings.
Junior Jason Finn said it is strange to have the cameras outside of the restrooms.
"Why in the hell do they need cameras coming out of the bathroom?" he said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
David Stuart, associate provost, requested the security cameras for Dane Smith three years ago after the restrooms were vandalized. He said the cameras are moved to different floors from time to time.
The cameras do not watch the bathroom, they monitor the bathroom entry, he said.
The UNM Police Department also monitors the cameras.
Cmdr. James Daniels said the department sets up security cameras for selective enforcement or high-activity areas. UNMPD works with other departments using the videotapes to catch illegal activity.
UNM alarm systems' office sets up security cameras on campus, but some departments hire outside vendors.
Frank McQuerry, alarm supervisor, said he could not disclose camera locations, because it would compromise security.
"That would be like telling the bad guys where to avoid," he said.
The Bursar's Office and the Cashier's Department have about 14 cameras installed and maintained by the alarm systems' office.
Marianne Presser, manager of the Cashier's Department, said the cameras behind the cashiers and in doorways record all the time. Three cameras are also in the vault, she said.
An upgrade to a digital system allows the department to burn footage onto a compact disc if necessary. Footage is kept for 30 days unless otherwise needed.
Finn said he's used to the 20 cameras that monitor the hallways and entrances of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building.
Spankey Speif, senior electrical technician, said the cameras and simply having signs posted stating the building is monitored deters theft.
Speif is in charge of the cameras in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building.
The building houses a lot of expensive equipment. Speif said theft decreased once the security cameras were installed more than five years ago. The latest incident was six to nine months ago. He said the cameras are not in place in labs or study areas.
"We record in case there's an event," he said. "They're not used for any other reason."
He said the building is much safer than others, and it helps to protect students and equipment.
"It's good to have that many cameras," sophomore Holly Deitelhoff said. "Even though you're always being watched, you're always being protected."
The cameras do not catch every second on tape.
If someone tried to disable a camera, Speif said another camera would catch the attempt on tape.
The tapes are stored in a secure room with an alarm at UNMPD.
Security cameras are also in the Bookstore, UNM Hospital, the computer science computer pod and the media technology services annexes in the College of Education and Mitchell Hall.
Deitelhoff said more security cameras should be in public places, because that is where more serious incidents occur.
