Video surveillance is coming soon to the city’s downtown core. At Tuesday’s council meeting members will be asked to endorse Phase 1 of the project which will see the installation of eight CCTV cameras along a two-kilometre stretch of Talbot Street, from CASO Crossing to Queen Street.
The locations were selected based on 2018/19 crime mapping data and motor vehicle collision reporting information.
In total, $70,000 funding is available to purchase equipment and implement the first phase. The St. Thomas Downtown Development Board contributed $10,000 while a local business donated $50,000. The remaining $10,000 could come from retail cannabis funding.
The first camera will be installed at the intersection of Moore and Talbot Streets. Future expansion of the program would see cameras installed in the industrial portion of the city.
In a report to council, the St. Thomas Police Service advises a safe, secure and vibrant downtown will provide “a canvas for economic development.”
