COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene police are looking at placing a surveillance camera at Independence Point, enabling officers to view a live video stream of the popular spot.

The camera, if placed, would be accessible to police officers through their patrol cars using mobile data terminals, or through a stand-alone computer at the police station, said Coeur d'Alene police spokeswoman Sgt. Christie Wood.

The live feed wouldn't be monitored 24 hours per day.

"It would be accessed when necessary," she said Friday. "Patrol officers could feasibly look at a live scene of the area while responding to a call there from the north end of the city."

The park area would not be visible, she said.

"We would like it to have a pan, tilt, (and) zoom feature," Wood said.

The cost for a single camera is in the range of $2,000 to $2,500, she said. There could be some additional cost for installation, depending on the need for a separate structure to mount the camera.

The camera would be paid for with existing grant money, she said.

The camera proposal has been discussed by city police officials for many years, she said.

"We believe it would be effective as a crime-prevention tool," she said. "Many cities have similar systems and utilize them for law-enforcement purposes."

Independence Point is a high-traffic area that hosts several special events during the summer months. The cruise ships unload there, and it's a favorite area for beachgoers.

A camera system would help police monitor the complaints received about loud parties, crimes and loitering that take place in the evening hours there, she said.

"It also will be used as a tool in helping us locate missing children during large events" such as the Fourth of July, she said.

If the police department is able to coordinate with the other departments involved in the city, such as the parks department, one camera would be in place in the early fall, she said.

"There are no other plans at this time to add additional cameras," she said.