CCTV Camera’s In City Parks To Prevent Illegal Dumping?

In December of 2014, I wrote a story that highlighted the type of insane regulations that are being implemented at a local level. The story was about Hamilton bylaw 01-029, or as more people would know it “the no tobogganing bylaw”.

In the city of Hamilton and many other cities in Ontario, you could face a $5,000 fine for tobogganing in any public park. Sounds crazy, I know.

The bylaw does not stop at tobogganing, you can face that same fine for taking part in arranging or engaging in an organized sport or activity, take part in any game, sport or activity, use Roller Skates and Skateboards, and much more. You can read the bylaw HERE

That story is only the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to this type of insanity.

Back in 2012, I wrote about the city of Hamilton hiring student volunteers to spy on people who are illegally dumping garbage into garbage cans in city parks.

“Hazell said the students will stake out illegal dumping “hot spots” identified by bylaw officers and councillors in each ward. Any evidence they collect, on camera, by watching or digging through dumped refuse will be turned over to city enforcement staff.”
Source

So the children in the city cannot play in parks, but they are allowed to spy and sort through garbage? Makes total sense doesn’t it?

How Hamilton Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla has proposed an idea that would see 360 CCTV camera’s in city parks to prevent illegal dumping.

“Merulla said the camera surveillance project would operate in a similar fashion to the red light cameras, where a number of cameras rotate among a number of high profile intersections. Merulla sees the city operating a set number of cameras at various parks, and then moving them about where the need arises.

Hamilton’s red-light camera project has been a success financially with the city benefiting from rising revenues from red-light runners.

(note: how rising revenues are cited, not lives/injuries prevented)

Merulla said the city’s bylaw enforcement officers already use video surveillance to identify and charge offenders.

Mountain councillor Tom Jackson, who has complained about the increased illegal dumping incidents along the escarpment, applauded his colleague’s motion.

“I’m very supportive of looking at the feasibility of making the mobile cameras permanent, recognizing there may be additional cost to consider,” he stated.

The city has been operating a pilot project to deter illegal dumpers since 2012, focusing on railways and private property areas. Staff identified 1,750 complaints about illegal dumpers on city property in 2012, which increased to 1,950 in 2013. Over the time period about 100 people have been charged. In 2014 there were 1,600 complaints, and about 55 people charged.”
Source

Signs in every park telling children that they cannot play, camera’s in every park, hiring them as volunteers to spy on others, is this really what we are allowing to happen to the next generation of children?