Cook County’s post-Sept. 11 security initiative, dubbed Project Shield, which has come under fire for being sharply over budget and years behind schedule, is proving to be an even bigger drain on taxpayers.

And in the end, it will provide a more porous security net than envisioned.

What’s the average cost of installing and operating just one functioning camera? Documents show the cost is $236,000. Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica claims fraud, waste and abuse has occurred.

Those are the latest findings of an ongoing Chicago Sun-Times / NBC5 News investigation.

Read the complete stories at the Chicago Sun-Times and NBC5.