REDLANDS - Four surveillance cameras in the historic downtown district have helped Redlands police spot crimes for six years.

Police soon will have 22 more cameras to help keep an eye on the beat.

One donation, three grants - including one from the Department of Homeland Security - and a hefty dose of Redevelopment Agency funds are enabling Redlands to spend nearly $628,000 to beef up its surveillance system.

The improvements come as city officials slash other expenses to narrow a $5 million budget gap.

Police Chief Jim Bueermann calls the camera-surveillance system a "virtual police presence," one that will help the department as its ranks dwindle along with city revenues.

If the Redlands Police Department were fully staffed, there would be 98 sworn police officers, Bueermann said, but 16 of those positions are going unfilled in tough economic times, along with 20 civilian jobs.

The cameras give police extra eyes to spot assaults and fights, burglaries, drunken driving, illegal drug activity, vandalism and other crimes, police say.