Downtown PG President Eoin Foley would like to see surveillance cameras placed along the downtown core to better equip police and business owners deal with crime in that area.
The group along with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce wants civic officials to consider funding a remote camera system capable of utilizing artificial intelligence.
Foley told MyPGNow.com the response times under this new system, which is being used in Penticton have had a lot of success and would likely yield the same results here.
“What we are looking is something that is monitored in real-time using technology as well to catch things while they are happening especially when it’s overnight when we are not down there as owners or managers to stop things in real-time as they occur.”
He added the initial pilot project cost undertaken by the South Okanagan city was 40-grand. Plans have been made to quadruple the program which will cost an additional $200,000 to $300,000.
“They have been happy with their success and the police have already used it to apprehend several criminals and stop some serious crime in the act,” added Foley.
Foley added while the Block Watch and the Citizens on Patrol programs have had varying levels of success in PG – the addition of surveillance cameras would be a game-changer.
“Mostly they are located in residential neighbourhoods (Block Watch) and at night time, most of those homes are occupied by people who will address things if something goes wrong. Overnight here (downtown), there is mostly nobody downtown and the folks that are walking along the streets overnight are the ones usually up to no good.”
Downtown Prince George is working with the Chamber to research how it would work here and what it would cost before city council is approached.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
