A report from the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and City Administration will be presented to City Council on June 7 that will recommend expanding the Eye on the Street program, including installing new cameras in strategic locations, upgrading the hardware and network, and increasing the number and locations of cameras.

In operation since 2005, the Eye on the Street program is a community public safety initiative that provides closed-circuit video monitoring for safety and security purposes. The renewal is being led by the City and TBPS, in partnership with tbaytel, and with financial support from the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s Guns and Gangs Program.

The program was previously comprised of 13 camera locations in the downtown cores and Business Improvement Areas. New locations have been selected in consultation with the TBPS Criminal Investigations Branch and the Intelligence Unit, as well as the City of Thunder Bay’s Crime Prevention Council.  More than 40 potential locations have been identified as high value for both live monitoring and continuous recording for follow up investigations.

The overall goal of the project is to replace the outdated cameras and control system to leverage advanced imaging and analytics to support gang-related investigations and other serious crimes. The provincially mandated Community Safety and Well-Being planning process has identified an increase in gang-related activity in recent years as a top community concern.

“The renewal and expansion of the Eye on the Street program is a critical step forward for public safety,” said Chief Sylvie Hauth, Thunder Bay Police Service. “These new cameras and analytics will greatly aid emergency responders, and provide support for police investigations. The program is a smart approach that leverages technology to better safeguard the community, and allow the Thunder Bay Police Service to better respond to and investigate serious incidents.”

The Ministry of the Solicitor General has provided a grant of $200,000 to the TBPS through their Ontario Closed Circuit Television Grant program to support components of the overall upgrade. Matching funds from the City and Police total $400,000. The project will be completed in phases and as funding allows. Phase 1 includes up to 20 locations, as well as new locations outside of the existing BIA’s and downtown cores. An in-kind contribution of $50,000 was also received from Tbaytel for use of their fibre network and camera selection.

Cameras will be placed where they are expected to be most effective to support the enforcement effort to deal with the guns and gangs issue in Thunder Bay, and will be installed only in public spaces. Special attention was also taken to ensure placement of cameras occurs at two sections of the Neebing McIntyre Floodway and adjacent trails, which have long been a concern for public safety.

“The original camera placements focused on the north and south cores of the city,” said Kerri Marshall, General Manager – Infrastructure and Operations. “The expansion of the revitalized Eye on the Street program reflects the changing scope and needs associated with public safety, beyond the two urban cores.”

The TBPS will work within the guidelines established for the program by the City of Thunder Bay to protect privacy and civil liberties of all persons who come within the range of the camera surveillance system.

The original objectives of the Eye on the Street program include:

  • Fostering and maintaining a safe environment in the downtown core areas
  • Deterring unlawful and anti-social behaviour
  • Contributing to the revitalization of the downtown cores
  • Providing an additional source of information for the police

An Advisory Committee will be established to provide an additional layer of oversight for the program, and to ensure the program is meeting all privacy regulations. Subject to Council approval, an annual evaluation of the program and report will be presented to the Advisory Committee and to City Council. Administration will report back to Council if future funding becomes available to expand the Program to include Phase 2 locations.

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Contact: Stacey Levanen, Supervisor – Corporate Communications, 625-3650