TIBURON, Calif. -- The Marin county town of Tiburon approved a controversial surveillance plan on Wednesday night that pits public safety against personal privacy.

Officials plan to put cameras at two key intersections and record the license plate number of every vehicle that enters and leaves town. All four council members authorized the installation of video surveillance cameras on the two main thoroughfares into Tiburon.

The council heard from members of the public for about 90 minutes both for and against the cameras.

Many supported the idea, saying it's the most effective way for the small community to fight crime.

But others argued the cameras would be an invasion of privacy and treat all people driving into town as potential suspects. They said the cameras would violate their civil liberties.

Terry Graham of Tiburon said she felt "these cameras constitute an unreasonable search."

William Rothman of Belvedere held a sign saying the town should change its motto to "Tiburon, We See You" if the cameras are installed. Rothman said several people suggested the sign could then be changed at Christmas to read "We know who is naughty or nice."

The plan calls for the cameras to be placed on Tiburon Boulevard and Paradise Drive.

Those cameras would take pictures of every vehicle's rear license plate and compare it to a database of stolen vehicles, Amber Alerts and felons.

The pictures would be kept for 30 days.

Tiburon Police Chief Michael Cronin said if the cameras were in place a few weeks ago, he might have solid leads on the town's recent homicide. "I do believe if we had the system in place at this time it would have provided valuable leads in this case," explained Chief Cronin.

The chief said similar surveillance is being used in other cities including Sacramento and Beverly Hills.

Supporters of the cameras said they'll deter crime and help police ensure public safety. Al Anolik of Tiburon spoke in favor of the cameras.

"I want my civil rights protected. As a former civil rights attorney I have done this for years," said Anolik. "But nothing is more important than the protection of my family, my neighbors, myself and my community here."