PORTSMOUTH — Next time you’re at the transfer station, look around. You may be under the watchful eye of a camera or two.

The same goes for Town Hall, Sandy Point Beach and Glen Park.

In response to several recent incidents of theft, vandalism and slip-and-falls on municipal property, the town approved the installation of a new camera security system officials say will help protect both town government and residents.

In December the Town Council voted 6-1 to spend $14,655 to install two cameras at Town Hall, four at the transfer station and one each at Glen Park and Sandy Point Beach. Everything will be recorded at the police station, where the server is located.

Korey Mendes, of JKS Technologies, said cameras were installed at Town Hall and the transfer station on Jan. 13.

At least one resident has complained that the town is overstepping its boundaries by conducting “general surveillance” of its citizens, but town officials deny the charge.

James Lathrop, the town’s director of finance and personnel, said the camera system is necessary for insurance purposes and to record potentially criminal activity.

“It’s not meant to invade people’s privacy, but it’s a camera so that we have a better idea of exactly what happened,” Mr. Lathrop said in an interview. “It’s meant as a protection — for us and the citizens.”

There have been a few slip-and-falls on municipal property, he said, noting that the town is currently involved in a lawsuit regarding an incident at the transfer station.

In addition, Sandy Point Beach is often used as an illegal dumpsite, particularly in the winter, said Mr. Lathrop. Town Administrator Richard Rainer told the Town Council Dec. 14 there have also been a number of cases of vandalism at Glen Park, in which the fields were damaged by vehicles.

Also at that meeting, Council Vice President James Seveney said the cameras could potentially record someone breaking the rules at the transfer station, such as drivers of large trucks that are “filled to the gills.”

“It’s hard to believe it’s somebody’s household stuff,” said Mr. Seveney.

The cameras are also intended to serve as a deterrent, said Mr. Lathrop. “Sometimes on school buses, a camera makes people behave better,” he said.

‘Crossed a boundary’

Not everyone’s a fan of the new cameras, however.

Before council members voted to approve the security system, they heard an objection from Larry Fitzmorris of the taxpayer watchdog group Portsmouth Concerned Citizens.

“You’ve crossed a boundary here if this is passed,” said Mr. Fitzmorris. “I don’t think we have a need for it. We do not have a town that’s ridden with crime.”

Even if the town did have a problem with crime, he said, “it’s not the job of this government to conduct general surveillance of its citizens.”

Council President Keith Hamilton said the schools already have a similar camera security system in place. Mr. Fitzmorris replied that school surveillance “is more interior” in nature.

Council member Elizabeth Pedro voted against the new system. “I don’t really want it at Glen Park or Sandy Point Beach,” she said.

Ms. Pedro didn’t have a problem with cameras at the transfer station, however. She even suggested that a live feed — similar to a traffic camera — be included on the town’s website so residents would know when to make a dump run without running into long lines.

Or, joked Mr. Hamilton, “to see if politicians are there bothering you?”

Wi-Fi at Manor House

The project also calls for a separate system — five cameras and a server, as well as Wi-Fi — to be installed at the town-owned Glen Manor House at a cost of anywhere from $7,500 to $9,500. The historic home is run by resident managers Katie and Don Wilkinson under the direction of the Glen Manor House Authority.

“They’ve actually asked it for themselves and they’ll be paying it out of their separate budget,” said Mr. Lathrop.

The cameras will bolster security on the property, which hosts weddings and other special events throughout the year, and the Wi-Fi will be a welcome feature for patrons, he said.

“You’re at a party and you want to be able up upload a picture right then. There’s no connection down there now, unless you use your data,” he said.

Portsmouth wants to eventually expand its Wi-Fi capabilities throughout town, he said. Athletes and parents who frequent Glen Farm in particular, said Mr. Lathrop, would benefit from having Wi-Fi.

“I think it’s good for the citizens but it also gives a message that this town embraces technology,” he said.