Home security cameras play a crucial role in aiding crime investigations in Trois-Rivières, where a voluntary police registry allows residents to share camera locations with law enforcement. Inspired by its success, Montreal police (SPVM) are considering adopting a similar initiative.
Under the program, Trois-Rivières residents can voluntarily register their private surveillance cameras’ locations with the city’s police service. If a crime occurs nearby, officers may reach out to camera owners to request access to footage for investigative purposes.
It’s important to note that police do not have real-time access to the cameras and cannot view recordings without the owner’s permission.
Since its launch in 2018, approximately 1,700 Trois-Rivières residents have signed up for the registry. While the exact number of cases solved with registry footage remains challenging to quantify, officials view the program as a valuable investigative tool.
Mikaël Morrissette, the public relations manager and spokesperson for the City of Trois-Rivières, explained, “When a crime needs to be solved, for example, a break-in, we go into the neighborhood with a map of camera locations that we can request access to.”
As the idea of a registry spreads to Montreal, residents express mixed opinions. Some, like Mark Bellavance, are willing to participate, trusting the SPVM to handle the initiative effectively. On the other hand, individuals like Blair Dohey are concerned about privacy and prefer not to share their camera information.
The voluntary nature of the registry is emphasized by Morrissette, who assures that individuals have the choice to opt-out if they prefer not to share their footage.
Legal experts emphasize that police would still need a warrant to access surveillance camera footage, ensuring that privacy rights are protected. However, individuals who voluntarily provide footage may lose control over how it is used once in the hands of law enforcement.
Beyond Trois-Rivières, municipalities like Sherbrooke, Laval, and Gatineau have shown interest in adopting a similar model. In Montreal, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential pilot project for voluntary sharing of private surveillance images during criminal investigations.
