CALGARY – Eight months ago the City launched a controversial video surveillance pilot project in downtown Calgary. Twenty-two special cameras were strategically placed throughout the core in areas known for higher levels of criminal activity. So, has the project helped Police crack down on crime in the core?
Bill Bruce from Calgary Bylaw Services believes it has.
“[The cameras] are an eye witness. It’s a powerful tool to verify what witnesses saw.”
“During the past few months, the Calgary Police Service has been able to use evidence gathered through the pilot project for investigations in the downtown core”, says Inspector Kevan Stuart from the Calgary Police Service.
Inspector Stuart won’t say how many times Police have used CCTV evidence, only that the cases are still before the courts.
“We’ve been using the footage to investigate property and personal crimes in the core; assaults, vandalism and other property and crimes against people”.
It seems Calgarians don’t mind being on camera either, if it means increased safety for the public. One of the people Global News talked to on Monday feels that if potential offenders know the cameras are there, they will be more reluctant to commit a crime.
Police are unable to release statistics on the CCTV program until the completion of the pilot project in March. The decision whether to keep the cameras running will then be made after Police and Bylaw Services make a presentation to City Council.
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