RACINE - The Racine Police Department will be monitoring North Beach this Fourth of July with camera surveillance equipment.

The police have partnered with ClearCom, Inc., 8332 Corporate Drive, to install cameras around the beach. The cameras can be monitored on a special Internet server accessible by password, from a portable surveillance trailer in the North Beach Oasis parking lot, 100 Kewaunee St., and from the police department's mobile command center, said ClearCom President and owner Dave Grebetz.

ClearCom donated the equipment and instructed police on how to use it, he said.

"It's an extra set of eyes for them," Grebetz said. "They can control the cameras and keep an eye on the crowd and head off anything that might be a problem."

The police contacted ClearCom about setting up the surveillance because they anticipate record crowds at the lakefront this Fourth of July, Grebetz said.

The cameras and surveillance trailer were in place Thursday at 2 p.m. and will remain at the beach until Monday morning.