Leamington to install AI-powered security cameras as part of waterfront safety strategy

The Town of Leamington is installing AI-powered cameras at the marina. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has more.

The Municipality of Leamington is moving ahead with new surveillance infrastructure aimed at curbing disruptive behaviour and improving safety in the community’s waterfront and marina areas.

A report going before council Tuesday recommends awarding a $115,000 contract to Empire Communications of Oldcastle, Ont., for the purchase and installation of a new AI-enabled security camera system. The project will be funded through a combination of previously approved capital funds and a draw from the municipality’s IT reserve fund.

The move is part of a broader effort to address community concerns about noise, loitering and unsafe activity along the waterfront. According to a municipal media release issued Monday, the measures follow the creation of a Waterfront Committee in May 2024, which includes residents, municipal officials and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) representatives.

“Leamington’s waterfront is a treasured community space,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald.

“Through the collaborative work of our Waterfront Committee and the support of our partners at the OPP, we’re taking proactive steps to protect this area and promote respectful use of our public amenities.”

The waterfront district has since been designated a Community Safety Zone, increasing penalties for traffic violations, while the nearly completed Robson Road reconstruction project includes traffic calming features. The marina parking lot has also been redesigned to improve traffic flow, accessibility and boat launch staging.

To support these changes, surveillance cameras will be installed not only at the marina and Seacliff Park Concession but also at the Seacliff Park Amphitheatre and Performer Room, Mersea Park, the nearby rainbow crosswalk, OPP station and the municipal building’s employee parking lot.

A report from David DelCiancio, the municipality’s Manager of Information Technology, describes the cameras as a “modern security camera solution” that transforms surveillance from passive recording into a proactive system. Using artificial intelligence, users can quickly search footage for specific people, vehicles or behaviours without needing to manually review hours of video.

The total project cost is $115,000 plus HST. Although only $50,000 was included in the 2025 capital budget, a review of municipal facilities identified several sites where surveillance equipment was either outdated or non-existent. The project variance will be covered through the IT Reserve Fund, if council approves the recommendation.

Additional safety enhancements include upgraded lighting, new signage restricting parking to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and prohibitions against loitering, excessive noise and engine revving. The signage also notes enforcement under the Trespass to Property Act.

The OPP will increase their presence in the area to help enforce these regulations and support what the municipality calls “a safe and enjoyable waterfront experience for everyone.”