CHARLOTTE – As the Carolina Panthers prepared to take on the Chicago Bears Sunday, the typical crowd gathered outside Bank of America Stadium for the traditional tailgate.

But when football fans go inside, criminals could be outside, helping themselves to whatever is left behind.

That's why the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department uses its access to dozens of cameras throughout Center City to keep people safe.

"It invites criminals to come up when they know there's going to be a lot of people," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer B.J. Smith said. "Two officers in the camera room can monitor what 10 officers on the streets can see."

CMPD has hours of video of criminals caught in the act of breaking into cars when they think no one is watching. More times than not, the criminals are wrong.

That makes some tailgaters, like Jonathan French, feel a little safer.

"Knowing there's that added security, I feel a lot better," French said.

Amy Copley, who was unaware of the video surveillance, said she still takes her own precautions when heading out.

"[I take] what I need -- my ID is in my pocket, my phone. I don't bring anything with me," Copley said.

CMPD says the surveillance video is stored for seven days, and only suspicious activity is copied. The department says the video can be used as evidence in court if need be.

Another way for Charlotte citizens to help police make the most of their resources, Smith said, is to notify officers when they see suspicious activity.