As the debate on surveillance cameras unfolds, recent incidents involving thrown objects could influence State College Borough Council members who remain undecided.

Council President Richard McCarl and council member Jean McManis, both of whom are undecided on the issue, expressed concern over a March 29 incident in Beaver Canyon.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident in which an officer was struck on the head and injured with a beer bottle while attempting to break up a disorderly crowd on the 200 block of East Beaver Avenue.

"I'm disturbed that we had one of our police officers injured on that street," McCarl said.

McManis said she was "distressed" by the occurrence.

If surveillance equipment had been in place, it could have been used to investigate the incident, State College Police Chief Tom King said.

The State College Police Department is investigating a similar incident that occurred early Saturday morning at Beaver Hill, 340 E. Beaver Ave., said Cpl. Mark Argiro.

A man barely escaped being struck by a bottle thrown off a fourth-floor balcony in the rear parking lot of the building. The bottle shattered and fragments sprayed the legs of the victim, Argiro said.

Canyon Pizza manager Jeremy Gibboney has first-hand experience of Beaver Canyon mischief.

"We've had windows smashed and BBs shot through the window," Gibboney said.

"I've had beer bottles thrown at me when I was outside cleaning up at night. That's not very cool."

Canyon Pizza, 260 E. Beaver Ave., recently installed its own security cameras in an effort to protect the business and employees from crime, Gibboney said.

Greg Nau, co-owner of Canyon Pizza, said he's impartial about the proposal and does not believe council's ultimate decision will impact his business.

Nau said he does have some concern over the perception the proposal has created.

"I think everybody gets a bad rap because I believe a lot of the trouble down here is not caused by Penn State students," Nau said.

"I think the borough police get a bad rap also because they are not out to get students, even though that is the perception of some."

Nau said he's not convinced cameras would deter crime and is interested in how effective surveillance equipment would be in identifying suspects in criminal investigations.

"When you're drunk, you're not thinking about cameras in the sky," Nau said.

The Downtown Improvement District Board recently voted to write a letter to council in support of King's proposal, said Teresa Sparacino, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District.

Sparacino said she has not spoken with businesses located in Beaver Canyon but "can't see why there would be opposition. Cameras would protect property and help to provide public safety."