Premier Doug Ford offers using speed cameras for crime surveillance

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is warning that more cameras could be coming to neighbourhoods near you.

Ford was in Hamilton Monday, where he said he’s still planning to bring in legislation against speed cameras, but he says other cameras may have another important job to do on the streets.

Around this house in downtown Hamilton, you’re always on camera.

Dan Myles has 10 cameras watching the streets, and says they’ve made a huge difference.

“It’s meant for solving a vehicular homicide, and also helping with the stabbing at the James and Barton Mission,” said Myles.

The media and police have turned to Myles’ cameras again and again in the wake of crime, and Ford is a fan of cameras.

“We have to clean up the streets, like big time we need to clean up the streets,” said Ford.

While the future looks shaky for speed cameras, there’s new talk now of a different kind of crime camera.

Police in Hamilton and other cities are already using technology to track the licence plates of cars.

There are no details, but the premier is thinking of expanding cameras beyond stolen cars to catch things like home invasions, possibly repurposing speed cameras.

“I want to start introducing cameras on crime, if approved by residents, because of the home invasions, and I was asking the mayor about the car thefts here and the home invasions,” said Ford. “Certain areas around Ontario are just getting hammered…there’s an opportunity, only if the community wants it.”

READ MORE: Doug Ford muses about using speed cameras, which he’s set to ban, for surveillance

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath is non-committal for now.

“I’m going to wait and see what the premier has in mind,” said Horwath.

While the premier likes crime cameras, he’s still opposed to automated speed cameras, like the ones in Hamilton and other cities, calling them a cash grab.

But the mayor says the speed cameras aren’t dead yet, and there’s still talk of exceptions for when the government brings in legislation to outlaw speed cameras.

When asked on if she could get a carve out, Horwath said, “In our situation and others, the cameras we have locally — four — which again, we don’t feel we’ve been abusive of that opportunity.”

City Councillor Matt Francis says it’s about having options to keep the streets safe.

“I don’t know if we’re going to be pressing forward on this, because the premier is doing this now,” said Francis.

“I know my residents continue to advocate for road safety, and I want to do everything possible to support our residents, no matter what that looks like. If that’s more radar, more speed cushions, we need to keep our streets and our roads safe so we’re going to be looking at all sorts of options now.”

While the premier expands the debate on cameras, Myles says the answer is easy.

“If you’re not doing anything wrong, what are you worried about?” said Myles.

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