City recommends Ottawa Police handle CCTV pilot project in ByWard Market

By OttawaMatters Staff

In a letter to Mayor Jim Watson and members of council, the city's general manager for emergency and protective services, Anthony Di Monte said the Ottawa Police Service would be best equipped to handle a pilot project for CCTV in the ByWard Market.

He explained that there are multiple privacy concerns which led him to that conclusion.

The mandate that would be in place for CCTV use in the market is “to deter crime and anti-social behaviour; increase the perception of safety; and, use camera images as evidence to identify suspects involved in criminal activities.”

Di Monte explains that under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, one of the only groups who can collect information in public places is law enforcement.

This summer, Watson asked the city to look at installing cameras in the market after a pair of deadly shootings, including one on Canada Day.

A similar approach is underway in Toronto, with the Toronto Police having secured $3-million in funding from the province. 

Di Monte's letter adds that the Ottawa Police Services Board would be in charge of seeking provincial funding.

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