Six new surveillance cameras will be attached to the Katrine Community Centre (KCC) in Armour Township by the end of March.
Mayor Rod Ward says the new cameras will replace three other cameras that simply didn’t work well in the northern climate.
The first cameras went up after the KCC was renovated last year.
“But we learned they just weren’t built for the cold and there were issues with them,” said Ward. He says more detailed research was carried out, and the township now has the proper cameras that can do the job.
The six cameras will have a line of sight to the outdoor rink, and can see who comes in and out of the changing rooms and also who enters the KCC.
According to Ward, the need for the cameras became evident when someone stole some lighting in the changing rooms and there was minor damage to the rink last year
The township is simply trying to protect municipal property by installing the cameras, he said, and their installation should not be perceived as an invasion of privacy.
No one’s privacy will be violated and attempts to identify people in the recordings would only be for lawful purposes, Ward added.
If the cameras pick up unlawful activity, the township’s bylaw officer will review the recordings and take the necessary actions, which may include involving the OPP in more serious cases.
The cameras will record information 24-7, and all the data will be stored in the cloud.
The recordings will be stored for 30 days and then deleted unless they need to be kept for a longer period in case of an investigation.
Signs will be posted at the KCC to let the public know their activities are being recorded.
The six cameras cost the municipality $7,075.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with Almaguin News. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.