A strategy to revitalize the downtown core in St. Thomas must ensure there is a safe and positive environment for visitors. That was the finding of a report presented to city council last May seeking the green light for Phase 1 of a program to install eight CCTV cameras along Talbot Street.
St. Thomas Police announced today (Thursday) three of the cameras are up and working at the intersections of Hiawatha, Moore and Flora streets. The five other cameras – to be located at St. George, Elgin and Manitoba streets, CASO Crossing and Woodworth Avenue – are to be activated in the near future.
Two more locations along Edward Street in the industrial area are also scheduled for camera installation bringing the total numbers of cameras in the city to ten.
The cameras record 24/7, allowing police to review video for suspicious activity or investigations. Police will no longer have to rely solely on canvassing core businesses to see if they have surveillance footage as evidence in investigations.
According to a police release, the CCTV system has already proven valuable, after officers were able to review footage to investigate reports of a suspicious male who approached a young female on Talbot Street.
