PETERBOROUGH-The Peterborough Police Service received $185,505 in funding from the Ontario government for the installation of CCTV cameras.
Funding covers 50 per cent of project costs (up to a maximum of $200,000) and will help pay for CCTV cameras, software and installation.
Police say having the grant accepted is the first of many steps. There is no definitive decision as to where the cameras will be located but the focus will be on community safety.
“This will be an important project for the Peterborough Police Service in combatting gun and gang violence in our community.” Acting Chief Tim Farquharson told Kawartha 411 News. “Like many other services in the province that have accessed this grant in the past, it is another tool to help officers in bringing people responsible for crimes before the courts. Receiving the grant money is a first step in the process which will include community consultations as well as privacy assessments and the development of an internal policy on the program. The number one goal of the Peterborough Police Service is safety of all members of our community. We thank the province for the opportunity through this grant to do so.”
Police say the goal is to have the program up and running by Spring of 2023
The Ontario government says it is providing almost $1.8 million to help 20 police services across the province expand video surveillance systems to help combat the threat of gun and gang violence.
The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant Program and will be used to replace outdated equipment, expand or enhance current technology, and install new or additional CCTV surveillance cameras in areas where gun and gang violence and correlated crimes, such as drug and human trafficking, are most prevalent.
“Our government is determined to provide police services with the tools and resources they need to keep Ontarians safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “CCTV surveillance systems are an important part of local police work to detect, prevent and deter criminal activity, especially in areas of gun and gang violence and other serious crimes. This funding will help police services strengthen CCTV capacity and improve crime prevention efforts to better protect communities.”