Many residents feel camera ready

‘They would be another tool in the arsenal of the police’

By Ian McInroy – Barrie Examiner

Updated 4 hours ago

Smile, you could soon be on a surveillance camera.

Barrie police want to find out how residents feel about the installation of the cameras in problem areas downtown.

To that end, they held open discussions at City Hall on Tuesday about the use of surveillance cameras, and whether they should be used at all.

It's a no-brainer for Ben Strudwick, of the Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association, who thinks they're a great idea.

"I believe the cameras would be a deterrent to some mischief makers, would help identify some perpetrators of mischief and would help to create an umbrella of safety downtown," he said. "They would be another tool in the arsenal of the police to assist in maintaining order downtown."

Shelley-Ann Maxwell isn't so sure the cameras are a tool the police should have, however.

"It's a problem when the state would want to surveil us through the use of cameras. It treats the citizenry as if they were suspects," she said. "It goes against our basic rights to freedom and is the beginning of a slippery slope."

Maxwell said surveillance cameras don't necessarily mean safer streets.

"Our police force is doing a good job, I feel safe downtown," she said. "We're under surveillance enough and it gives us a false sense of security."

"There are no statistics that say (it increases safety)," she added.

Barrie police Chief Mark Neelin agrees there are no definitive statistics to prove how effective cameras are, but has talked to officials from other municipalities who say they work.

"From other communities I've looked at and police chiefs I've spoken with, they all report an increase in the feeling of security," he said. "People feel there are additional eyes monitoring the area."

Neelin said he wants to hear from citizens and whether they would like to see the cameras installed.

"If they do, the next phase will be to look at a funding model," he said, adding it would be up to the Barrie Police Services Board to decide if the cameras are warranted, and then up to city council to decide whether or not to fund them. He said a ballpark figure for the cameras would be about $30,000 each, but that is very preliminary and before any costing has been done.

The city would pay for the cameras and the private sector, service clubs, and various grant agencies could also be tapped for money.

"I would like to get a report to the (police) board this month and then they'll review it," Neelin said, adding it would be up to the board to decide where the cameras would be placed.

The cameras would be placed in strategic areas downtown and could be relocated if necessary, he added.

"There would be passive monitoring of the cameras. No one would be dedicated to watching them," the chief said, adding they would allow police to investigate crimes that are recorded.

There is currently no legislation in Canada addressing the use of surveillance cameras. They would not be able to look into businesses or private residences and they wouldn't have audio monitoring capability.

Strudwick said he'd like to see them used to monitor activity around downtown bars, as well as "shadowy" areas like alleyways where there is the potential for drug dealing or prostitution.

"If the downtown is to be revitalized, we must start with a perception of change and safety. Cameras will help to create that perception," he said.

imcinroy@thebarrieexaminer.com