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A sign posted in the Chapman Parkade as per city policy. (Photo Joe Fries)
By Joe Fries
Big Brother’s eyes – all 36 of ‘em – are due for an examination, which raised the eyebrows of at least one watcher.
The City of Kelowna has issued a request for proposals seeking a consultant to audit its use of recordable video cameras to ensure their compliance with legislation and to gauge their effectiveness. The consultant is also expected to make recommendations on how to expand or enhance the video system in place at the Queensway Bus Loop and on the purchase of a new mobile security system for use at special events.
Lance Kayfish, the city’s risk manager, said it wasn’t any particular concern that pushed the city to pursue the project; it was the city’s desire to check up on itself and make sure things are being done by the book.
“We want to make sure that if we’re using cameras, (that) we’re effective with them. If cameras aren’t effective in improving security or enhancing public safety, we don’t want the camera.”
Eight separate systems (and the number of cameras in each) are listed in an addendum to the request for proposals:
Queensway Bus Loop (1)
Chapman Parkade (10)
Parkinson Recreation Centre (9)
City Park Pavilion/Water Park (1)
Ben Lee Water Park (3)
City Hall revenue department (7)
Wastewater treatment plant (1)
Bylaw enforcement car-mounted cameras (4)
All of the cameras should already be in compliance with a city policy last reviewed in 2008 that states the city “will exercise a high degree of care when using video surveillance systems in order to protect the privacy of individuals who visit or work at monitored places.”
It also states that surveillance cameras – sometimes referred to as closed-circuit TV (CCTV) – should be installed only as a last resort after less-intrusive alternatives are found to be “unworkable”
Kayfish said the city is “very sensitive to our responsibility for people’s privacy and we take that very seriously.”
A $220,000 grant from the province announced last April was earmarked to cover the consultant’s cost and purchase the new systems.
At the time, a press release quoted then-solicitor general John van Dognen as saying the cameras “can help to significantly reduce violent and nuisance crimes – both in high-crime locations and in special event situations.”
But that wasn’t true then and it isn’t true now, claims B.C. Civil Liberties Association policy director Micheal Vonn.
She told Kelowna.com there is “no empirical evidence to support CCTV in general areas as an effective measure for criminal deterrence.”
The association instead views the cameras as an intrusion on people’s privacy, and she pointed out that the city’s policy echoes guidelines from B.C.’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner that cameras should be a last-ditch solution. In this case, Vonn suggested the $220,000 could have been spent on better street lighting or even another police officer.
She wouldn’t speculate on why the province chose the camera route, but said there are corporate interests involved and cameras can also help the government be seen to be doing something about crime.
joe@kelowna.com
250-575-4303
Tags: bc civil liberties association, cctv, lance kayfish, micheal vonn, privacy, security cameras
