Barrie Police To Continue Operating Downtown Cameras
City Hall Votes Down Notion To Assume CCTV Control
The City of Barrie has opted not to take over Big Brother duties in the downtown core.
Monday’s meeting saw everyone around the table to vote against assuming control of the ten CCTV cameras observing the city’s core. The City is instead making sure the cameras are better maintained.
Related: Downtown Eye-In-The-Sky Could Come Under New Management
In early September, a Police Services Board recommendation has council considering assuming control of the cameras, but after city staff review of the issue, it was found City Hall lacked the proper privacy safeguards and resource management to oversee the program.
The city will instead put $45,000 towards the costs associated with operating and maintaning the cameras this year, and contribute an additional $225,000 to the Police Service budget for 2020-2021 for replacement of the downtown cameras.