City to consider public surveillance camera proposal this fall

The proposed program would include monitored cameras equipped with strobe lights and two-way voice communication, watched remotely by operators who could intervene in real time.

“Operators can deter behaviour, notify trespassers and escalate to police or fire immediately,” Hughes said.

The monitored cameras would be watched mainly during peak nuisance hours, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Non-monitored cameras would also be installed in alleys, industrial zones or other hot spots to provide footage that could be made available to police.

Hughes said the chamber could administer the program if the city covered capital costs, installation and monthly monitoring fees. She told council cameras cost roughly $800 to $1,000 each, while monitored cameras carry an additional monthly monitoring cost of about $200 per camera.

Penticton started with about 12 cameras on one block, including one monitored camera on each side and non-monitored cameras at corners. Hughes said a Prince Albert pilot would likely begin in one focused area and expand based on police, fire, bylaw and business-reported data.

Penticton saw a reduction in nuisance calls near a shelter where cameras were first installed. Hughes said she could provide quarterly reports and additional data.

Councillors also questioned the proposal’s cost, privacy implications, legal safeguards, ownership of footage and whether the business community would contribute. Hughes said the footage would be managed by the chamber, stored off-site for 30 days and released to police only with a file number.

She said camera placement would be public-facing and determined through a working group involving the chamber, the city’s Community Safety and Well-being department, Prince Albert police, fire, bylaw and business representatives.

Coun. Blake Edwards said he liked the general idea but wanted a fuller plan, including a breakdown of camera and operating costs, before budget deliberations. Coun. Dawn Kilmer said she preferred a collaborative planning process that would examine legal, privacy and financial implications and set out a three- to five-year plan.

Mayor Bill Powalinsky said the program was “proactive,” “modern” and “long overdue,” and said a similar system could have helped during the Christmas Day fire at the Salvation Army building by alerting emergency responders sooner.

“The moment there was smoke, fire would have been dispatched,” Powalinsky said. “The moment that there was some activity that was not allowed, the police would have been dispatched.”

The city solicitor is expected to review the Penticton model and its legal implications.

Staff will prepare a report for further consideration at the next regular council meeting.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

City to consider public surveillance camera proposal this fall

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