Penticton plans to expand monitored security camera program

Penticton is expanding a monitored security camera program, with plans to put in more oversight. The Remote Guard Camera Program in Penticton started in 2021 with a handful of cameras downtown, and now the city plans on spending $150,000 to add 18 more monitored cameras pointed at public spaces.  The program is funded by the city but it’s currently run by the Downtown Business Improvement Association. The association’s executive director Brett Turner has led the charge on the program. He gave a presentation to council in August to ask for the program's expansion, and the city has put it in the 2025-2029 Financial and Corporate Business Plan. Turner said the program started because businesses like Arcadia Modern Home on Main Street felt overwhelmed by crime. “They were at their wits end. They were ready to pack up and leave. And they're a great store, a great addition to our town. They're awesome people. And they just had enough. Every time your window gets broken, it's two grand or three grand or four grand. They've had their vehicle stolen. They've had their customers harassed. It just doesn't end. And so the cameras there have really helped them and really been valuable,” he said. The cameras aren’t monitored constantly, but there's a security guard ready to check the cameras between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. They review the cameras when there are triggers like people climbing buildings or when someone lies down somewhere for too long. Currently there are four monitored cameras, and 15 regular security cameras. Turner said some folks are concerned about privacy when it comes to putting cameras up around town. “You're allowed to film in any public place where there's no perception of privacy... we have heard some comments from people that prefer to not be recorded and things like that. But, the benefits of this program have really proven themselves,” he said. “I would say if you have a smartphone, you should be about a hundred times more concerned about what it's listening to and what it's tracking than the cameras that are there to help protect businesses.” There are signs near the cameras telling people they are on video, but Turner said the camera locations are not being publicly listed anywhere. People can submit a formal request to find out where the cameras are. “That information is private. We're a public organization, so I'm sure you could submit a Freedom of Information request,” Turner said. READ MORE: Vernon drug smuggler has day parole extended https://infotel.ca/newsitem/vernon-drug-smuggler-has-day-parole-extended/it107393 The cameras are operated by a private company called Six Technologies, and Turner is the only one who can access the footage at this time. He said he only gives pieces of footage to police if there is an active case that officers are investigating. Turner said there was an 80 per cent drop in incidents where the security guard overseeing the cameras had to call the police in the first 18 months of the program. He said the cameras caught a getaway car that was used in a murder, helped people who were overdosing, and caught an arson attempt before a business totally burned down, among roughly 100 other cases. Since the camera program expansion plans on putting cameras outside of downtown, operation of the program will get handed over to the Penticton Chamber of Commerce. He said there is going to be a subcommittee that is going to oversee the program. “There's going to be even more processes put in place and oversight by a committee,” he said. Turner said other towns are asking about how they can implement a similar program. “We're currently advising Prince George, Sechelt, Chilliwack and other communities on how to get their own program going,” he said. If this upcoming expansion gets a positive reception then the program could expand even further. “It's funded through the City of Penticton at this point and with council's approval,” he said. “I know that council has safety and security as their number one priority and it’s what most of the current city councillors ran on to get elected. So I think that's why they're putting so much weight behind this at the current time.” To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas mailto:jtomas@infonews.ca  or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. Find our Journalism Ethics policy here. https://infotel.ca/newsitem/code-of-ethics/it106782 We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .