Drivers in Shanghai's Baoshan District recently witnessed what looked like more than 60 cameras mounted on bars over a single intersection.

Most people may be used to seeing a single surveillance camera at an intersection. However, drivers in Shanghai's Baoshan District recently witnessed what looked like more than 60 cameras mounted on bars over a single intersection.

After one local resident posted several pictures online, people across the internet voiced outrage at the wasted money and what seemed like attempts by the local traffic police to increase fines and profits.

Reportedly, the many devices were a combination of surveillance cameras, LED flashlights, and other equipment. Traffic police denied their involvement.

It later emerged that a local electronics company made the installations. After all the media attention and bad press, the company is quickly completing its tests and removing the equipment from the intersection. A company spokesperson said that the purpose was to evaluate the performance of various camera brands for possible use in future surveillance.

With China being the largest market for such cameras, it’s perhaps not surprising that Shanghai has hundreds of thousands of surveillance cameras in use throughout the city.

And according to a 2011 Chinanews.com report, the Chinese city of Chongqing has targeted installing about 500,000 cameras costing more than 3 billion U.S. dollars.