In July 2023, Peterborough Police Services (PPS) installed 12 CCTV (Closed-circuit television) cameras in Peterborough’s downtown core. The program is intended to“promote public safety in the downtown core of the City of Peterborough,” according to their website.
CFFF met with PPS Chief of Police Stuart Betts to talk about the program and how successful the first year of the program has been.
Betts shared that, as of July 2024, the cameras have been accessed 48 times, each time assisting in identifying suspects of violent crimes, including two homicides.
Betts repeated the importance that these CCTV cameras are not actively monitored by people, but are what they call “passive monitoring,” only to be accessed to respond to a report in the monitored areas.
CFFF also spoke with Peterborough City Councillor Alex Bierk who was initially opposed to the program before its installation.
