Edmonton police kept CCTV cameras permanent after 2020 pilot without public announcement
A six-month surveillance camera trial that started in 2020 was quietly made permanent. Police didn't say when or why, and won't disclose where the cameras are now.
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Edmonton police quietly converted a six-month CCTV pilot project into permanent surveillance without publicly announcing the decision.
The pilot began in June 2020 at intersections with large crowds or frequent crime, including Gateway Boulevard and Whyte Avenue. Police said at the time the cameras wouldn't operate in residential areas and would only be accessed by officers investigating crimes in the area or during major events. Around 20 to 30 cameras were placed throughout the pilot period.
In late August, after Postmedia inquired about the program's status, police told the outlet the pilot had been deemed effective and CCTV continues to operate in the city at major events. Police then removed the web page referencing the original pilot project, saying the information was outdated.
When Postmedia asked whether the decision to make the system permanent had previously been shared with the public, how many additional cameras had been added, and where cameras are currently located, Edmonton Police Service did not answer those questions. The force said all cameras comply with privacy legislation and that surveillance technology is common in cities worldwide.
Cameras are marked with signs stating they may operate to deter and detect criminal activity for public security and law enforcement. Police credited the system with helping solve a vandalism spree that caused approximately $100,000 in damage, including to the Edmonton Funicular. The service also operates a separate camera registry allowing residents and businesses to register their own security cameras with police.
Who decided to make the pilot permanent, and what approval process, if any, was followed?
How many CCTV cameras does Edmonton Police now operate, and how does that compare to the 20-30 deployed during the pilot?
Where are the cameras currently deployed throughout the city?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did Edmonton's CCTV pilot project start?
The pilot began in June 2020 at intersections including Gateway Boulevard and Whyte Avenue.
How many cameras were deployed during the pilot?
Around 20 to 30 cameras were placed throughout the pilot period.
What crime did Edmonton police say the cameras helped solve?
Edmonton Police Service credited the system with helping solve a vandalism spree that caused approximately $100,000 in damage, including to the Edmonton Funicular.
