Police say the project will deter crime and improve response times, while experts urge transparency to prevent bias.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) plans to install 52 CCTV cameras in 10 locations across Waterloo Region starting in November.
According to the service, the locations were selected using three years of crime and service call data, focusing on neighbourhoods with higher rates of crime and victimization.
“We use a data-driven process conducted by our crime analysts,” said Melissa Quarrie, a Public Information Officer at Waterloo Regional Police Service. “The goal is to enhance public safety by addressing documented incidents of crime and disorder, not targeting any specific community.”
Quarrie detailed the types of cameras the service plans to use. “Pan, Tilt, and Zoom” (PTZ) cameras will cover areas with high pedestrian traffic. Bullet and multi-sensor cameras, both equipped with Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR), will monitor entry and exit points and intersections, such as camera along Highway 7 and Highway 401.
For the first phase, all cameras will be installed in areas with existing low-voltage infrastructure. The service delayed implementation for four years to observe how similar programs were implemented in Toronto, London and Guelph.
The WRPS believes the CCTV program, including ALPR capabilities, will have a positive impact, deterring crime, supporting investigations, and improving response capabilities.
WRPS is developing strict internal procedures to regulate access and use of the technology and is conducting a Privacy Impact Assessment in consultation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
While WRPS emphasizes safety, experts caution that even well-designed, data-driven systems can unintentionally introduce bias.
Craig Sloss, a data scientist and actuary, said that while the police’s crime data is generally accurate, methodological choices can introduce bias into analysis.
“Bias doesn’t mean the data is wrong,” said Sloss. “It can reflect social biases, which can influence decisions like where to place cameras.”
He warned that relying only on past calls or patrols could reinforce existing patterns, disproportionately affecting racialized or low-income neighbourhoods. He recommended publicly sharing camera locations and comparing them with census data to allow independent validation. He also stressed the importance of normalizing data to ensure accurate interpretations of disproportionality.
WRPS said the cameras are intended to support crime prevention, not target specific communities, and noted that privacy safeguards and public information sessions will be implemented.
To ensure transparency, accountability, and equitable access, WRPS is hosting public information sessions across the Region of Waterloo to explain the program’s purpose, privacy safeguards and how CCTV technology will support crime prevention.
The service is also collaborating with local municipalities to maximize community engagement and oversight.
Residents can learn more about upcoming information sessions and the CCTV initiative by visiting the WRPS website.
Contributed Photo/Sangjun Han
