Barrie Police Service moves ahead with CCTV cameras downtown

Big brother will be watching you in downtown Barrie.

The city's police department is installing security cameras in areas where there have been problems.

But not everyone likes the idea of this kind of security. One by one the cameras are being installed. Ten in all will go up downtown. They are expected to be operational by next month. One is at Bayfield and Collier streets, right across from the Ranch bar. Another one is at the Five Points and has already caught people's attention.

The cost of the cameras is about $250,000. They will record 24 hours a day and will stream back to a police recording centre and police dispatch at headquarters. Police will have the ability to zoom in and out with the cameras.

Ryan Traversy's Potted Pig restaurant is in direct view the Five Points camera.

“The more the better,” he says. “I mean, like I understand it's kind of an invasion of privacy here and there, but what if something happens? If there's a fight that breaks out? Or a car accident? I mean like I'm for it.”

But not everyone agrees. Barry Ward is a city councillor in Barrie.

“There's no evidence anywhere in the world that they are a deterrent,” Ward says. “There's hasn't been. There have been lots of studies done, but no evidence that shows crime goes down after you install them except in parking lots.”

Police disagree, saying they may help people feel safer, assist in investigations after an incident and could possibly act as a deterrent for some people.

There are strict rules police will have to follow when it comes to the new cameras. They cannot be pointed into a store window, and that includes bars and restaurants. There are also restrictions on who can access the tapes and how long they must be kept for.

Inder Singh runs a popular hotdog cart at the Five Points. He says he is happy to have what he calls extra protection just in case of an issue.

So far five of the 10 cameras have been installed. The remainder will be put up by the end of the week.