Foley Adds More Surveillance Cameras
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
January 9, 2026
FOLEY, Ala. The City of Foley has approved installing more security cameras at various spots within the city limits.
Surveillance cameras have been part of the city’s overall public safety plan for several years and now, nine more cameras is being added, though the city didn’t say exactly where they would be installed other than in areas of high traffic and possible problem spots.
Last year, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores both added a large number of Automatic License Plate Readers and surveillance cameras in their cities.
Cities like Foley, Alabama, are actively installing more surveillance cameras for public safety, joining a growing trend across the U.S. where municipalities are expanding camera networks for crime prevention and traffic management.
Police Chief Kevin Carnley said the cameras will allow the city to expand the system and improve public safety.
“This is part of our plan to add more cameras throughout the city for security purposes,” Carnley said. “They play an integral role in everything we’re doing now.”
He said city and private cameras helped resolve a recent incident in north Foley.
“That cooperation between some of our systems and the systems that people have on their residences helped us solve that,” Carnley told council members. “So, we’re asking to put in more cameras.”
As the area grows and sees more visitors, crime rises and problems occur and technology helps to pinpoint problem areas as well as aid in investigations.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said camera systems are an asset for city public safety.
“I’m a big believer in cameras,” Hellmich said. “I think they’re a force multiplier, and they have been invaluable over the past few years.”
At this time the city is looking at the various options for cameras because they do not all provide the same level of quality or evidentiary value.
I’ve found that all cameras are not created equal,” Hellmich said. “It depends on the location. Some are more expensive than others. Some are more complicated. They try to find the best fit for that situation and not cost exorbitant money.
The camera purchase is part of the second phase of the city’s Public Safety Systems Improvement Capital Project.
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