The county police department is set to seek bids next month for a surveillance system that will place security cameras in downtown Hilo, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.

The idea is to help improve public safety in the Big Island community, especially for tourists who flock to the shops, eateries and outdoor market from buses and cruise ships.

A $400,000 grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority will also fund an undetermined number of cameras in Pahoa, Akaka Falls and Kailua, Kona.

Exact locations have not yet been decided. But police, the Downtown Improvement Association and local merchants have collaborated on a list of hotspots where they believe surveillance is especially needed in Hilo.

Those spots include the parking area of the downtown bus stop, the adjacent bandstand area and along Kamehameha Avenue, said association director Sam Pulu'ole, who said there are a lot more problem areas than there will be cameras.

July is the target date to have the cameras mounted and running, Pulu'ole said.