Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
A couple of crime prevention advocates are once again pushing for CCTV cameras in Oliver.
Michael Guthrie and Shirley Zelinski want to resurrect the idea that previously fell flat at the town council table.
Guthrie addressed the issue again at Monday’s meeting of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. He said they garnered 500 names on a petition calling for video cameras in strategic locations around town.
Guthrie acknowledged the concern about privacy but noted that many other communities have installed cameras. “With the issue of privacy I am at odds with just about everybody in this room in regards to whether privacy is an issue,” he said.
Guthrie said he spoke to privacy commission staff and an attorney about the issue. He was told that cameras can be installed but that resistance will come from municipalities.
“That’s what we got from the previous administration of this town,” said Guthrie.
He noted that Oliver residents were lined up to sign the petition.
“I think it’s a mandate that we look at it seriously. I don’t think it’s a mandate that we put a CCTV on every street corner. But I can think of a lot of street corners where it could be very helpful.”
Guthrie said a camera on Highway 97 at Dead Man’s Lake is needed to capture footage of the serious traffic accidents that occur there.
Guthrie said CCTV is a valuable tool in crime prevention and monitoring suspicious behaviour.
“Anytime there is a major crime in this province, the first place police go to is anyone with a video camera, no question about that.”
Guthrie suggested installing 12 to 15 cameras in the community.
Committee chair Aimee Grice said council had already discussed this issue and chose not to support a CCTV rebate program for 2020. She suggested that Guthrie put a motion on the table, and if it isn’t supported, he can go to council as a delegation.
Guthrie said he is exploring the idea of polling the public to get its view on the issue after hearing “excuses” as to why Oliver doesn’t have these cameras.
