Councillor calls for action on Winnipeg surveillance cameras

A Winnipeg city councillor wants the city to move more quickly to set up surveillance cameras in the city.

St. James-Brooklands Coun. Scott Fielding plans to ask the city to set up monitored cameras all over the city to deter crime.

"There's a lot of evidence that's out there from other jurisdictions [showing] cameras have been very effective," he told CBC News.

"For instance, Chicago, they've … got over 590 cameras up right now, and they've made over 500 arrests."

Fielding also wants police to examine whether they could tap into existing private surveillance cameras, and possibly corporate sponsorship of public cameras.

"The Target Corp., for instance, in Minneapolis … gave $250,000 to help fund the program, so I think using some corporate sponsorship for companies that want to contribute to making Winnipeg a more viable place, a safer place, a safer community, makes a lot of sense.

Fielding plans to make a motion at city council next week asking for action regarding the cameras.

The city's administration is already examining the concept of monitored cameras, but Fielding wants officials to move faster on the matter.
 
Mayor Sam Katz supports his motion, Fielding said.