More Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras will soon be installed across Chatham-Kent.
On Monday night, council gave the go ahead for more cameras to be set up at Kingston Park in Chatham, Memorial Park in Tilbury, Library Park in Wallaceburg, Thames Grove Conservation Area in Chatham, and McGregor Kinsmen Park in Blenheim due to vandalism and other criminal activity.
The price tag for the additional surveillance cameras is $94,000 to install and $32,000 annually to maintain.
The vote was 15-2 in favour of the motion by Councillor Melissa Harrigan and addition by Councillor Anthony Ceccacci.
Councillor Brock McGregor is giving kudos to Kingston Park neighbours for their proactive efforts to get the cameras.
"I wanted to recognize the neighbourhood in the Kingston Park area. A group of community members there took a really proactive approach collecting concerns and forwarding them to police services and the municipality. And they did that in a way that was really constructive and helpful in this process and I think that it sets a really good example on how to contribute to safety in your community," said McGregor.
Councillor Rhonda Jubenville has a problem with the funding, saying she supports more officers, not cameras.
"I support Chatham-Kent police wholeheartedly and I would much rather earmark any extra money that we have to bolster our police staffing. I understand what Chief Earley is saying, that's it's not replacing frontline officers, but I would rather earmark any extra money towards frontline staffing," said Jubenville.
CCTV cameras in Erieau and Mitchell's Bay will be considered in the 2026 budget.
Chief Earley told council that cameras could be installed at new encampments and the new tiny cabin neighbourhood if they're warranted. He said all camera installations are driven by evidence and crime data, not suspicion.
The chief previously reported that calls for service at Kingston Park have increased by nearly 26 per cent from 2023 to 2024 and will likely continue to increase in 2025 during the summer months.
The chief also cited "a concerning increase" in calls for service at Memorial Park of almost 63 per cent in the first four months of 2025.
Earley also said high-traffic seasonal destinations such as Erieau and Mitchell’s Bay should be considered for CCTV installations, noting they are tourism hubs and the need to maintain a secure environment for both residents and visitors.