Highly anticipated security cameras coming to downtown Prince George

“I see this as one step in the overall process. This is not going to obviously solve all the problems, but it’s another tool in our toolbox, along with other initiatives that will improve our downtown,” said City Councillor Ron Polillo.

City Council will provide $40,000 to Downtown Prince George, who alongside the Prince George Chamber of Commerce will be responsible for the implementation of the program and monitoring the cameras, as well as deciding where they will go. This pilot project is based off of one that happened in Penticton, which both Foley and Polillo say was very successful.

“I anticipate it will have the same success here in Prince George, and it really is, from my perspective, a commitment to public safety. (…) We’re trying something innovative and something new that has worked well in another community,” Polillo said.

Foley explained a big reason for optimism is the use of AI assisting tools to help police react to situations in real time. The cameras will be monitored by people, but the AI tools can help identify specific problem areas.

“The AI flags anything that we want it to detect, like violent motions, fires, and that sends the red flags up right away to the station, and they deploy the fire or police services as needed,” Foley said.

“It can detect violent motions, punching, kicking, fires, throwing rocks at windows, those types of things,” Foley continued.

While all of Council voted in favour of the pilot project, and businesses are happy to see this step taken to improve public safety, there are concerns that it may not work as well as intended. Troy McKenzie, the owner of The Black Clover, says his business is one of many that already has security cameras, and while he’s seen a lot of crime, it hasn’t always lead to the criminals being taken off the streets.

“It’s probably one of the most disheartening things that you catch them in person or on camera. They’re away for hours and then they’re back on the street. It’s more common than it should be,” McKenzie said.

“Arson, theft, violence, all these things are happening on a daily basis downtown. And I think what needs to happen is more actions against the parties that are doing this,” he continued.

City Councillor Cori Ramsay shared similar concerns, saying “if nothing is being done at the RCMP level” then the program may not improve safety as drastically as hoped. She also questions the financial sustainability of a pilot project that is seeing $40,000 put into it.

What happens, when there’s no more grant money and there’s reliance on that pot of funds that might not be available anymore?” Ramsay said.

“I do feel that the monitoring of cameras for just $10,000 for one year of work doesn’t seem realistic. I’m hoping to see more information in the implementation plan, which, as stated in the attached letter of correspondence from Downtown Prince George, is still being worked on,” Ramsay continued.

Ramsay, like all the other Councillors, still voted in favour of the motion, as she says she’s happy to support downtown businesses, but wanted to address potential concerns that may come along the way.

The security cameras are expected to be implemented no later than April 1, 2025.

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by Tommy Osborne

Highly anticipated security cameras coming to downtown Prince George

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