Surveillance cameras spark privacy debate

By VANESSA LU
Toronto Star
Mar. 17, 2006

The latest video images released in the Boxing Day shootings have sparked debate about whether more surveillance cameras are needed on Toronto streets.

Some police board members want to discuss the advantages of installing cameras, though there is no official policy right now, said board chair Alok Mukherjee.

"The cameras would have a preventative impact and enhance safety," Mukherjee said. "But obviously, we're mindful of concerns around privacy and whether it's excessively intrusive."

Mukherjee said Police Chief Bill Blair is studying the issue and will deliver a report to the police board. There are many unanswered questions, including who would maintain and operate these cameras, who would have custody of the records and how long would they be held, he added.

Councillor Kyle Rae, who represents the Yonge-Dundas area where on Boxing Day 15-year-old Jane Creba was shot along with six others, believes cameras are useful tools in the fight against crime.

"It may not stop a perpetrator, but it may catch one," he said, noting a 2005 fatal shooting at Yonge-Dundas Square took place in front of police officers and surveillance cameras.

And to those who have privacy concerns? Rae says flatly there is no expectation of privacy on Yonge St.

He does not believe someone should be watching the surveillance video, but tape reviewed only as needed.

The Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area is also looking into the idea of more cameras to prevent crime.

Executive director James Robinson said surveillance tapes from various places including the Eaton Centre, the TTC stations and St. Michael's Hospital have proven useful in the Boxing Day case. The TTC has hundreds of cameras on subway platforms, near ticket booths, at bus depots, and other locations. Video cameras are also located at GO stations.

"We're looking at video surveillance as a way of crime prevention on Toronto's major streets," Robinson said.

Major property owners along Yonge St. already have cameras installed, including Eaton Centre, Atrium on Bay and Ryerson University, so Robinson said his group may look at the effectiveness of having smaller businesses install cameras as well.

His group should decide in May which direction it wishes to go after consulting with security and privacy experts.

Other Ontario cities have installed surveillance cameras including in London, which has 16 cameras in place.