Surveillance cameras considered in Vanderhoof following vandalism acts

VANDERHOOF—The District of Vanderhoof is considering installing surveillance cameras in some areas, following a series vandalism acts on rainbow sidewalk last year.

Staff were told to draft up a policy and conversations are underway with RCMP on where exactly they can be installed. The sidewalk was painted last June but has been repeatedly defaced by drivers performing burnouts. The district has cleaned up the sidewalk multiple times but the mayor says it’s becoming a burden.

“Every time you go out and redo that crosswalk, it’s probably costing the taxpayer about $500. You can’t. You have to make sure this town is seen to being inclusive, that it values its citizens, and [that people want] to be a part of who we are as a community.” said Mayor Gerry Thiessen, District of Vanderhoof.”

The policy would need to be approved by the Office of Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure no privacy laws are broken.