When the power goes out, police surveillance cameras need to be reset, Atlanta police say.

But that leaves dozens of places where video wouldn’t be available if a crime were committed.

Atlanta has 352 cameras that could help deter crime and capture footage of suspects, but police said 32 cameras aren’t currently not working.

Nicole Scott, an Atlanta resident who works downtown, told Channel 2 Action News she doesn’t think the cameras are effective anyway.

“They’re just a waste of tax payer money,” Scott said.

Police said the number of working cameras fluctuates from day to day.

“The reasons for cameras being out of service fluctuate for a number of reasons and as always our goal is to keep all of the equipment working and current to the best of our resources and control,” police told Channel 2 in an emailed statement.

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Volunteers direct traffic during a food giveaway at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Stonecrest. Food drives are being hosted across metro Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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