More eyes spying downtown Barrie is now a political choice. A decision on security cameras there, and a substantial price tag, lies with city councillors. A memo from Police Chief Mark Neelin says 10 wireless cameras would cost $187,000, plus taxes. Installation of electrical and network boxes, poles, permits, fibre network and monitoring equipment costs bring the total to about $250,000. On-going maintenance, support and equipment replacement would cost $46,000 to $55,000 annually. Coun. Bonnie Ainsworth, who sits on the police board, favours the measure – despite the cost. "At first glance I shunned the thought of security cameras in our uptown - you know big brother watching, privacy rights and issues," she said. "More boots on the ground was my impulse preference, but after hearing about recent events and arrests made in Vancouver (from the Stanley Cup riot) with the aid of cameras, I looked longer and harder at the camera option. "Cameras require a big investment. Naturally I am apprehensive about the cost but feel confident cameras will be a significant deterrent and will thwart subversive activities." Coun. Lynn Strachan, who represents the downtown, has a similar position. "I don't think the cost is out of line and I hope that we can work to find ways to mitigate the capital cost of installing the cameras," she said. "I think that cameras in the downtown will go a long way towards increasing the perception of safety in our downtown. I hope they will help to curb crime, but we will have to wait and see if that is the result. "At the very least they can serve to assist police in solving crimes and laying charges. Many cities and towns have installed cameras in their downtown cores and they report that they have seen a positive impact from the use of the cameras," Strachan said.
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In late June Barrie's police board gave initial approval to the security camera project, if it can be funded with an acceptable impact on the police operating budget. This was after community response was measured through phone calls, e-mails, surveys and media polls, and 62% of those who responded were in favour of having security cameras downtown. The Downtown BIA endorsed the concept as well. Ainsworth says there is another potential advantage to security cameras, besides safety. "Being a member of the police board, I am also cognizant of the fact that 90% of the police budget is now salaries and benefits," Ainsworth said. "It is imperative we look for ways to work smarter and explore all technological opportunities as we move forward; cameras being one." Neelin's memo will be an item for discussion at the Nov. 21 general committee of council meeting. Security cameras would be considered a service level increase by Barrie police, something that is considered by council and city departments on a regular basis. It would be part of the city's annual operating budget process, which includes policing costs. Neelin has said security cameras would increase demands on the police information technology staff, but wouldn't be actively viewed by police and set to monitor a general area. The police communications centre would have a monitor and staff would be able to watch it. There would have to be someone responsible to make sure the system functions properly, the necessary records are maintained, maintenance is done and footage is retrieved, as required. The cameras wouldn't always be in the same location either. Neelin has said there are no hard statistics to show that security cameras prevent crime, but police feel they do deter it. Some crimes have also been solved with the help of security cameras. While the city would be responsible for costs associated with the cameras, that price could be offset by provincial funding through the proceeds of crime grants and private/public partnerships. But funding from the former source would not be available, if approved, until the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Many private city businesses already use video cameras inside their buildings, and on their property, for security reasons. Police also use these recorded images to investigate crimes and identify suspects. Barrie's Transit Terminal had 10 security cameras installed at its 24 Maple St. building a few years ago. Cabling, digital equipment and computer monitors are also part of the system. The security camera images at the bus station are recorded, but not constantly monitored. There are security personnel at the downtown terminal as well. The city also has security cameras, about 50, in its Collier Street parking garage. Their images are just recorded and not actively monitored. In 2001, the city looked at installing video surveillance cameras in the downtown area. Conflicting federal and provincial positions on the legality of surveillance, however, even in high-crime areas, and the potential for court challenges in cities where cameras were already used, stopped the plans.
