Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt sparked debate with his recent proposal to install surveillance cameras downtown, at apartment complexes and even at some private homes to combat crime. But cameras already are rolling all over the city: at rail stations, schools, malls, highways, banks and convenience stores.

“In a big city, it’s increasingly hard to go throughout the day without being captured on many surveillance cameras,” Daniel Solove, a law professor at George Washington University who specializes in privacy issues, wrote via e-mail.

Pedestrians on Main Street had mixed feelings this week about the potential for cameras keeping an eye on them.

“I think it’s a great idea to cut down on the crime,” said a man who identified himself as S. Walter and said he has been mugged three times in the past two years. “I don’t mind them watching me at all.”

Others said downtown isn’t the best place to use police surveillance.

“What crime? This is businesspeople out here,” said Tiffany King, who works in the area.

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