Small rual town of 7000 with cameras?

[chemspace]

 I live in a small rural town of about 7000 in Northern Missouri. One day while sitting in our bank parking lot across from hwy. 65, I noticed that there were cameras on two utility post on either side of the highway. I thought to myself, why have I never noticed them before. Upon further inspection I noticed that all 3 of the entrances to our town had cameras on them.  I know all of our law enforcement as well local commissioners, mayor etc. town. So I asked them all if they had any idea why they were there, who put them there and more off who in the hell is watching them. No one had an answer. Most of them had no idea that they were even there. I find this odd that no one had any info about them.
 You must understand that this is a place where you can leave your doors unlocked at night. Pickups rule the road. Very Norman Rockwell! Nearest big city is 90miles.
 I tried googleing to see if any one had came across this before, with no results.
 My question to all who read this, is if you live in an area where you wouldn't expect to see cameras. (Not in the city)  Look and see if you if you to have them at your town entrances. PLEASE post your findings here. I am very curious to know how many other towns have the same.

[carlee]

We have them on the freeway that leads it way into the small valley I live here in southern Calif. I noticed them a few months back and they are not for cal trans traffic as they are not listed anywhere on the cal trans site. I also noticed recently that we have an emergency radio broadcast that plays on the am station. It states that it is for emergencies and was funded by money from the department of homeland security.  Also I will add last year they had a drivers license check point set up for those entering the town. Has anyone else had these.  Most of the people who were stopped or asked about it thought all was fine. They would say this is great they will not get all the illegal immigrants.  I tried to tell them that is not what this is for. But you all know how it is when the nation of people are asleep.   And to finalise my list of things they have also started a city watch program. Getting people to sign up to help fight crime in the valley. I really have to wonder on this one.

[ChristSavage]

Today I drove around my area (I live near a city where if u count the burbs into population, a Million People) into a few different towns and they had the cameras also, at the entrances' and exits to the towns, and when u were at an Interstate, cameras at both lights, at least 1 facing each way, some had 2+.  $hit was ridiculous, and I can tell ya I definitely do not remember seeing even 1 of these cameras pre 9-11.  Also, whn on the highway, whn u drive by an overhanging sign displaying an exit # and what that exit is, ie a State Rt etc, if u look up and to the side, you'll see cameras on some of em.  Basically, if u ever need to escape a major metropolitan area when SHTF, don't get on the Interstates if u can help it, cause they're also spying on ya there, know of less traveled roads to increase your odds of escape.