TAMPA, Fla. A Web developer here has mapped 59 security cameras posted downtown for the Republican National Convention.

Jon Gales, 27, started noticing workers installing the cameras in June. He has since tracked what he believes to be all of the cameras and designed a map that can be viewed at rncctv.com.

When viewed on a smartphone, the map shows visitors which cameras are likely filming them.

The city is paying Miami-based Aware Digital about $2 million for the cameras. The money comes from a $50 million federal convention security grant.

Gales says his actions were not political. He said he would have done it for the Democratic National Convention if he lived in Charlotte.

“These cameras could be here for years afterwards,” he said. “It’s just something I wanted to do for my neighborhood.”

Police said that the locations are not secret. Tampa Bay Times

‘The Daily Show’ lampoons DNC memo

Jon Stewart & Co. on “The Daily Show” took some comic pokes last week at organizers of the convention set for Charlotte.

Their source was a memo recently leaked to Politico that called for featuring “real people” at the convention who could talk about how their lives were bettered by President Barack Obama’s policies. Examples in the memo included an auto worker whose job was saved by the bailout, a student who got a better deal on loans for school, and a gay soldier who helped a straight soldier while they were serving together.

Jon Oliver – one of the “correspondents” on Comedy Central faux newscast – did a segment in which he auditioned a parade of “real people” for the roles that advisers to Obama envision.

During convention week, “The Daily Show” will tape its show from ImaginOn – a few blocks from Time Warner Cable Arena.

Tim Funk

Tampa strip clubs raided as RNC nears

TAMPA, Fla. Police arrested 16 women on prostitution charges during a two-day operation targeting adult entertainment businesses ahead of the Republican National Convention.

Undercover officers visited 14 strip clubs Thursday and Friday looking for signs of human trafficking, underage activity and prostitution, the assistant police chief, John Newman, said Saturday.

“This is something we monitor when big events come to the area,” Newman said.

Tampa Bay Times

St. Pete gets share of Tampa money

Nearly $1 million will flow from Tampa, Fla.’s $50 million grant for convention security to cover neighboring St. Petersburg’s police expenses for the RNC kickoff party at Tropicana Field on Sunday.

With 20,000 delegates, dignitaries and journalists expected to attend the welcome party, hundreds of officers will be needed to secure the Event Zone, which covers about 7.4 square miles. Tampa Bay Times