In July 2006, council's finance and administration committee asked City staff to look into a policy that would see all licensed establishments place security cameras and signs on the exterior of their buildings.

Politicians thought it might deter loitering and illegal activity, especially in the downtown.

A report that came back to committee this week says that type of policy would carry more cons than pros, including a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 per system, extra staff time for inspection and monitoring and possible Privacy Act violations.

The report also says there is no substantive evidence that cameras act as a crime deterrent.

It also notes the City of London spent more than $750,000 on surveillance cameras over a two and a half year period, with few tangible results and nearly 1,000 camera failures.

The committee voted on Tuesday not to pursue the idea any further.