The City of White Rock is considering the use of CCTV cameras in public spaces to increase public safety and deter crime. While the use of CCTV cameras in public spaces has been a controversial topic in the past, some residents in White Rock believe it is a necessary addition. Residents like Adam Irvine and Cheryl McIlhargey see no issue with the installation of cameras in public spaces, as they believe that they are already being observed by others when out walking. However, White Rock’s city council is still debating the implementation of CCTV cameras.
Councillor Christopher Trevelyan is in support of adding CCTV cameras in public spaces, citing a large gathering of young people getting into violent fights in 2022 as a reason for the need of the cameras. He believes that the cameras would have been a useful tool for the police to break up the fights. The decision to install an extensive network of cameras in areas such as the waterfront and uptown areas will likely depend on factors such as cost and effectiveness. City staff are currently working with the RCMP to identify critical areas and have opened bids from contractors.
Some residents in uptown White Rock are in favor of adding CCTV cameras, especially in light of recent gang shootings. Residents like Nicole Morgan feel that having cameras in public spaces gives them a sense of safety. In 2018, White Rock installed a camera in the five corners neighborhood after the rainbow crosswalk was repeatedly vandalized. Other municipalities in British Columbia, such as Surrey, Kelowna, Richmond, and Vancouver, already use CCTV cameras for various purposes, including road safety, traffic management, and public safety.
While some municipalities in British Columbia have successfully implemented CCTV cameras in public spaces, Vancouver’s city council rejected a proposal to add more surveillance cameras to city streets in 2022. White Rock’s councilors are awaiting a final report on the potential implementation of CCTV cameras in public spaces before holding a vote on the matter. The decision to add CCTV cameras in public spaces will be a significant one for the city of White Rock, with residents and city councilors divided on the issue. The outcome of the vote will likely depend on a variety of factors, including cost, effectiveness, and public opinion.
