ATLANTA (AP) - Authorities say a state-of-the-art video monitoring center is scheduled to open this week in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/ndx50h) that the downtown video integration center is funded by a mix of private donations and public money.

Authorities say it has already given Atlanta police access to video from more than 100 public and private security cameras.

Officials say discussions are being held to link up with even more cameras at CNN Center, Georgia State University, the Georgia World Congress Center and MARTA, along with cameras in the Buckhead area.

Dave Wilkinson, president of the Atlanta Police Foundation, said the goal is to eventually have the entire city blanketed by video cameras.

Supporters say the cameras help prevent crime, although critics say they also raise privacy concerns.