THUNDER BAY — If city council approves a proposal from the Thunder Bay Police Service and city administration, the Eye on the Street camera system will receive new equipment and expand to multiple new locations around the city.
The community safety initiative was implemented in 2005, and currently includes closed-circuit video monitoring at 13 locations in the downtown cores and Business Improvement Areas.
Now, more than 40 potential locations have been identified as "high value for live monitoring and continuous recording" in consultation with the TBPS Criminal Investigations Branch and the City of Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council.
These include public spaces in areas outside the two urban cores, perhaps most notably at two sections of the Neebing McIntyre Floodway and adjacent trails where public safety has been a concern.
Council will receive a report next Monday recommending that leading-edge cameras be installed at 12 of the existing 13 locations, as well as at eight new sites.
A second phase of expansion would add additional locations if funding became available.
The city says the project will leverage advanced imaging and analytics to support investigations into gang-related activity and other serious crimes.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General will provide $200,000 toward the cost, with matching funds from the city and from Thunder Bay Police totalling $400,000. Tbaytel will provide an in-kind contribution for use of its fibre network and camera selection, valued at $50,000.
Additional annual operating costs are estimated at $15,000 to $20,000.
Police Chief Sylvie Hauth described the expansion as a critical step forward for public safety.
"These new cameras and analytics will greatly aid emergency responders, and provide support for police investigations," Hauth said.
Kerri Marshall, general manager of Infrastructure and Operations for the city, said the project "reflects the changing scope and needs associated with public safety beyond the urban cores."
The TBPS will work within the guidelines established for Eye on the Street by the city to protect privacy and the civil liberties of anyone who comes within range of the cameras.
An advisory committee will be established to provide an additional layer of oversight.
Proposed Camera Locations for Phase One of Eye on the Street Expansion (in alphabetical order)
- Arthur Street West at Mountdale Avenue
- Bay Street at Algoma Street
- City Hall - northeast corner
- City Hall - northwest corner
- Cumberland Street at Camelot Street
- Harbour Expressway at Golf Links Road
- Intercity/Floodway - Fort William Road bridge
- Intercity/Floodway - Memorial Avenue bridge
- Landmark Inn - northeast corner
- May Street and George Street
- May Street and Victoria Avenue
- Red River Road and Court Street
- Red River Road and Cumberland Street
- Red River Road and Junot Avenue
- Red River Road - Walkway
- Syndicate Avenue and Donald Street - Victoriaville Parkade
- Victoria Avenue and Archibald Street - Victoriaville entrance
- Waterfront transit terminal - inside
- Waterfront transit terminal - northeast corner
- Waterfront transit terminal - southwest corner
Source: City of Thunder Bay
