Big Brother is watching, but in some cases, it may be a good thing. More and more Utah schools are getting equipped with surveillance cameras.

Viewmont High School now has 36 cameras watching nearly all of the school hallways and common areas. Most of what these cameras capture isn't significant, but when something does happen, a hit and run in the parking lot, a fight in the common area, or a pick-pocket in the hall, school officials are going right to the video to help solve the problem.

Principal Scott Tennis is chalking it up to better school security. He says, “I can just simply scan through the school in less than a minute.” School officials say the upgrade - and increase - in cameras on campus helps them to be vigilant when they can't be everywhere at once. School Resource Officer Andrew Bryson says, “The cameras are very helpful for me to be able to kinda drop in and look in at these places where the kids are and just kinda keep and eye on things.”

Some students say they live in an era where cameras are always recording so the idea is not a big deal. They say the cameras make them feel safer at school. Student Body President Kendall Thacker says, “Everyone… if they're thinking about causing trouble thinks twice before because they're self conscious about the cameras.”

There are still certain places that are not monitored with digital eyes. Even with 36 of surveillance cameras there is still an expectation of privacy. There is no recording in any of the bathrooms or locker rooms.” Lacey Essig says, “The only place that does not have the camera is where most of the theft is taking place... in the locker rooms.”

Still, school officials believe the instances of theft, vandalism, and assault are down from previous years. Bryson says, “The kids know that the cameras are here and I think it helps them to behave at times.”

It cost Viewmont High about 25,000 dollars to upgrade its surveillance system. All of that money came from school parking ticket fees. Davis School District reports that by Christmas, 30 percent of its schools will have cameras in use.