CCTV Surveillance Cameras for 2010
Smile, they'll soon be watching
By IRWIN LOY, 24 HOURS, Friday, March 20, 2009
Vancouver looks set to get the ball rolling on installing controversial CCTV cameras during the Olympics. It's meant to be temporary, but civil liberties critics warn the move will pave the way for permanent closed-circuit TV cameras in public spaces.
The province and Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit have made up to $2.6 million available for the temporary use of CCTV during the Olympics.
V2010-ISU is recommending the cameras be deployed along the Granville entertainment district, at the cruise ship terminal area, and at two city-operated 'Live Sites'.
All that's left to do is for the city to officially request the money.
But Micheal Vonn, policy director for the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, says previous Olympic cities, such as Athens, brought in temporary cameras only to see them made permanent after the Games.
"It's the standard drill with the Olympics," Vonn said in an interview. "We have no reason to believe these will not be left as a legacy."
Kevin Wallinger, city's director of emergency management, says future use of the cameras hasn't been decided but the cameras are intended to be temporary.
Vancouver city wants CCTV on streets for 2010
By CANADIAN PRESS, Thursday, March 19, 2009
VANCOUVER - Vancouver city officials are hoping to tap into $2.5 million in government funding to beef up surveillance during the 2010 Winter Olympics with street cameras.
City council has yet to vote on accepting the funds from the province and the RCMP-led Olympic security unit, with its $900-million budget.
If approved, the money will be used to purchase and install more closed-circuit television cameras and bring existing cameras onto the same
grid.
Civil rights and privacy groups have expressed concern over the use of cameras during the Games, saying they'll remain post-Games and allow for far more intrusive policing.
But the director of emergency management for the city, Kevin Wallinger, says there is absolutely no intention to leave all of the cameras up after the Olympics.
In a report yet to be presented to city council, he says the concerns and pledges to make sure the use of CCTV complies with privacy guidelines.