Students opposed to last year's installation of surveillance cameras in Beaver Canyon are getting another chance to voice their opinions.

The State College Police Department wants student input on the effectiveness of the cameras to add to a report that will be presented to the State College Borough Council in November, said Cpl. Mark Argiro.

"[Students] are the ones who are probably most directly influenced or affected by the presence of the cameras," he said.

The survey asks students if they are aware of the cameras, if they alter their behavior because of them, if they feel safer because of them and if they feel the cameras are a deterrent to crime.

Cameras are currently located at the intersections of Beaver Avenue and McAllister Street, Beaver Avenue and Hiester Street, and Beaver Avenue and Locust Lane. They were installed last September.

"The student body did not [object to the cameras], but the vast majority of people who spoke out against the cameras were students," Argiro said.

Surveys will be distributed this week at various locations downtown, in some classrooms and at the police department, he said.

Council member Catherine Dauler, who voted in favor of the cameras' installation, said the cameras could help to identify perpetrators of assault.

"I guess I would hope that the students wouldn't find them too intrusive and that they'd understand that those cameras may be very helpful in case of assaults," she said. "I always looked at them as a way to protect people who might otherwise not be able to protect themselves."

Surveillance cameras should remain in Beaver Canyon to prevent assault, but other deterrents, such as better lighting and more police presence, could also help, Dauler said.

After a year, it is important for the borough to get student feedback on the cameras, said council member Janet Knauer, who voted against their installation.

"I think that it's likely that students are the subjects of any surveillance because they're the people who populate Beaver Avenue," she said.

Knauer said she voted against the cameras because she felt that they would not serve any purpose.

"I really didn't think they were going to make any difference," she said. "I still believe that they're not doing a whole lot of good."

Council President Tom Daubert, who also opposed installing the cameras, said students' civil liberties are violated by the surveillance cameras.

"I thought they were a waste of money and I still do," he said.

The total cost of installing the cameras was $24,409.05.

Jahren Condomitti (junior-geography) said he was not even aware that cameras had been installed on Beaver Avenue.

"I guess if crime was being reduced because of them, that would be cool. But I don't need them spying on me," he said.

Kathy McGregor (senior-biobehavioral health) said the cameras make people more aware of their actions.

"It's good, because I wouldn't be one to get into trouble, so it's not taking away from my freedoms, if people are making that argument," she said.

Statistics are not yet available regarding the cameras' effectiveness.

"I know we looked at some statistics a few months back, but it's very tough to tell in such a short period of time," Argiro said.

-- Collegian Staff Writer Rachel Spivak contributed to this report