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Security Cameras To Come?

KCBIA supports addition of security cameras to combat crime and social disorder

Jan 29, 2025 | 4:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — The head of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA) says he supports a plan to add a system of security cameras as a way to try and respond to increasing crime and social disorder in the city.

Saying it’s not a new concept, Howie Reimer told CFJC Today there have been very preliminary discussions with the city and with Kamloops RCMP about what the program could look like.

“What we would like to see is not only quicker response during acts of vandalism, crime and social disruption, but the infrastructure behind it where there will be charges and there will be consequences,” Reimer said. “That seems to be some of the challenges we’re having now.”

“I don’t think it’s putting the cart before the horse — as long as you support it with the resources that make it a holistic solution.”

Lack of security system ‘raises an alarm bell’

Reimer’s comments come after Kamloops Councillor Mike O’Reilly suggested a system of security cameras should be set up and used to address concerns around crime and social disorder both downtown and in the Tranquille corridor.

Speaking at the Dec. 9 Economic Health Select Committee meeting, O’Reilly said cities like Kelowna and Penticton already have security systems in place and that it “raises an alarm bell” that Kamloops hasn’t followed suit yet.

“We are not at the point where we would be a leader in our downtown or core areas to have security systems,” O’Reilly said. “We’re now one of the only players that don’t have security cameras.”

“We can continue until we’re all blue in the face to add on new CSOs, new RCMP [officers], and new CAP members, but if we’re not being efficient with it, what’s the point? It’s not of a point where, do we think the public will be okay with this? It’s at the point where, why aren’t we doing this?”

O’Reilly used Kelowna as an example, saying that city has a “massive security camera system” that is monitored by an officer, allowing people to dispatched immediately “when they see an issue.”

“We have invested millions upon millions of dollars on our people, on CSOs and RCMP and with the CAP program to get our people on the ground,” O’Reilly added. “An area I think we’ve fallen short, whether that the city side or the BIA side, is looking at the investment in technology.”

Protective Services Director Ken Uzeloc said the city is currently working on a plan to see if it can access existing cameras more efficiently. He said more details are expected in the near future as part of a multi-phased report.

“That [report] will identify some of those issues and gaps with a proposal of how we can take appropriate actions… including how we can better access existing cameras that are out there in business as well as our own cameras in potential future situations,” Uzeloc said.

Privacy concerns have subsided

Reimer told CFJC Today that he feels issues around privacy that were raised in the past have subsided because of the increase in crime and vandalism.

“With my predecessor at the BIA, there were concerns among the public and some business owners, frankly, about privacy concerns,” Reimer said. “However, with the tides turning on crime and vandalism and social disruption, I think attitudes have changed.”

North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA) Executive Director Jeremy Heighton also said he felt that concerns around privacy in public places has “largely been sorted now.” He also said that the NSBIA is encouraging business owners near the new access hub along Tranquille Road to install cameras as a sort of pilot project.

“What we’re looking at right now is promoting cameras along that sort of one block,” Heighton said. “We’re working with property owner to install cameras and then applying through the Securing Small Business rebate program to recoup some of those costs.”

Businesses can’t bear all of the costs

While details around what the Kamloops program will look like remain unclear, Reimer also said he felt that it “would be a tough sell” if businesses owners were forced to bear the entirety of the costs to install new cameras.

“Would there be a [cost] sharing between the city and with businesses? Would the cameras be solely on private property or would they also be on public property like in Kelowna?” Reimer said.

“The new cameras with higher resolutions are certainly more expensive and we’ve seen with the appetite for private security personnel being very low among business owners because of the added costs at this time, so hopefully there are ways to offset those costs for businesses.”

A recent survey of businesses released in September showed that businesses in Kamloops reported around $950,000 in losses in 2024, an increase from $752,000 in 2023.

Business owners also expressed “continued dissatisfaction” with the effectiveness of response agencies, citing legal limitations and slow response times as major barriers. Questionable prosecution, lack of issue resolution and delayed responses were identified as the top reasons for dissatisfaction.

“Our local businesses are the backbone of the Kamloops economy and they need real solutions to the crime and social disruption that threaten their livelihoods,” Heighton said at the time.

“This report clearly shows that immediate action is needed to protect not only the business community but also the safety and well-being of all Kamloops residents.”

The report called for a four-pillar approach to health care, mental health reforms at all levels of government and criminal justice reforms, including changes to bail provisions.