The Austin Police Department is taking steps to prevent assault in the downtown area.

Police will receive $25,000 from the Hormel Foundation to put in security cameras in downtown Austin, the Plaza Lot area and by Mill Pond to the north of the Austin Public Library.

Police Chief Brian Krueger said the project comes in response to several assaults in downtown Austin, specifically by Mill Pond at night on secluded paths behind the library and the Austin Utilities downtown plant. Police are working with camera vendors to set up locations and determine who will administer each camera. It is unclear how many cameras the department will purchase, but Krueger said the project will be headed by Police Capt. Dave McKichan.

“We’re just providing more security and safety for the citizens of Austin,” Krueger said.

There are no cameras in the Plaza Lot or Mill Pond area currently, but there are several cameras in downtown Austin.