Cape Breton regional police adding cameras for officers, cars and downtown streets

Police officers, patrol cars, and even some streets in the former towns of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are set to be equipped with video recording equipment this fall. Bodycams, dashcams, and surveillance equipment are expected to enhance safety for both citizens and officers while providing better evidence in court cases, according to Chief Robert Walsh.

After a meeting of the municipality’s board of police commissioners, Chief Walsh highlighted the benefits of the upcoming camera installations. He mentioned that street cameras would likely serve as a deterrent for some crimes and assist in solving others that have occurred or are ongoing. In the event of critical incidents such as armed robberies or active shooter situations, the police communications center would have real-time access to video livestreams, providing crucial information and images to officers for improved situational awareness and response.

While acknowledging potential privacy concerns from the public, Chief Walsh assured that the police would implement policies to address these worries. He emphasized that cameras in downtown areas and key intersections would only be utilized for investigative purposes and not continuously monitored.

In addition to street cameras, bodycams, and dashcams, Chief Walsh emphasized that the transparency of police operations would be enhanced. However, he noted that policies regarding the activation and deactivation of these cameras by officers were still being developed, with potential guidance from the province.

The police force is currently in the process of obtaining quotes for the various camera systems, with plans to purchase up to nine dashcams for patrol cars, over 120 bodycams for officers, and up to 50 street surveillance systems. These street cameras will be installed not only in downtown Sydney but also in the former towns of North Sydney, Sydney Mines, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Dominion, and Louisbourg.

The budget allocated for police equipment this year includes approximately $700,000, a significant portion of which will be dedicated to cameras and software. Chief Walsh previously mentioned that the software cost covers unlimited cloud-based data storage for video files.

Chairing the police commission, CBRM Coun. Glenn Paruch expressed support for the camera installations, citing the need for change in the city. While acknowledging privacy concerns, Paruch highlighted that police surveillance cameras would only be accessed in response to crimes being committed or in progress.

To address privacy issues and inform the public about video surveillance, Cape Breton police are looking to Charlottetown as a model for their camera system. In Charlottetown, all street cameras are labeled with the city’s E-Watch brand to notify residents about the presence of video surveillance.

The introduction of video recording equipment in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality signals a proactive approach to enhancing public safety, improving evidence collection, and increasing transparency in police operations. As the implementation of these cameras progresses, the community can expect a more secure and accountable law enforcement environment.