Public Safety Cameras

The public safety cameras will enhance the Police’s ability to better protect the community by allowing immediate situational awareness and oversight in the event of incident. Additionally, the presence of public safety cameras and appropriate signage have been shown to act as powerful crime deterrents in other jurisdictions.

We know that there is nothing quite like boots on the ground to increase public safety, and that patrolling – on foot or by car – allows officers to see exactly what’s happening with their own eyes, but we cannot be everywhere, all the time, so the public safety cameras will allow us to be more present.

The public safety cameras involve that serves multiple internal and external uses. The goal is to support a safe, inclusive, and inviting community from a public safety perspective.

Community cameras will replace existing city-owned, end of life community web camera infrastructure with an integrated camera system will be used to monitor traffic, pedestrian, and active transportation routes, as well as river flood levels. They will also web stream key outdoor tourism areas. Public safety cameras will be used for enhancing safety in public places.

Public Safety cameras may be used in the following ways: 

• Event monitoring
  • Useful for major or high-profile events and investigations
  • Increased public safety
  • Effective resource deployment
• Improved situational awareness
  • Real-time information for dispatchers and first responders
  • Coordinated effective resource deployment – faster and more efficiently
• Evidence gathering and community safety (lost, missing persons)

The cameras will be installed in the following locations:  

Public safety cameras:

• 1 camera - intersection between Brunswick and York
• 1 camera intersection between King and Carleton
• 1 camera intersection between Queen and Regent
• 1 camera intersection between Westmorland and King
• 1 traffic camera intersection between Wallace and Main

Community cameras:

• 2 cameras at the south end of the Westmorland Street Bridge
• 2 cameras at the north end of the Westmorland Street Bridge
• 1 camera at the City Hall Phoenix Square (junction between Queen and York)
• 1 camera on the Fredericton Public Library overlooking the river
• 1 camera in Officers’ Square (on top of the special events building

As the project progresses, more public safety cameras will be installed around City as additional partners sign-up.

Signage will be in in place where every camera has been installed. The signage is highly visible and contains contact information for those who have questions or concerns.

Technology such as camera, even doorbell video, can help to identify persons of interest, but it also deters crime, helps monitor scenarios and activities, and can be used to gather evidence and can help in decision making (resource deployment)

No, the cameras are NOT automated and are not designed or intended to specifically target motor vehicle infractions. However, if an motor vehicle accident is observed by a camera, it may be used as evidence in an investigation.

The Fredericton Police Force (FPF) plans to use what is called "passive monitoring" of the cameras. In other words, FPF members generally will not be watching the camera feeds in real time unless there is a direct police reason to monitor a situation.

Also, cameras observe public spaces only, where the courts have held there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Cameras are governed by the City of Fredericton’s Camera Policy and are in compliance with Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RTIPPA) & Privacy Legislation. 

The footage will be subject to all applicable Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RTIPPA) & Privacy Legislation. 

The footage will be used for law enforcement and public safety purposes only. It will be passively (not actively) monitored, meaning they will only be accessed when there is a directed police use – ex, for investigative purposes

Policies and procedures on the use and disclosure of video recording are in accordance with the guidelines established by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Audits shall be conducted periodically to ensure compliance with these established practices.

Public safety cameras will record and retain video for 14 days and will not record audio.  

No. The public safety cameras observe public spaces only, where the courts have held there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Businesses, or other partners can contribute to the in their community, but these cameras are not indented to be private security but to enhance the City’s public safety effort. Businesses, organizations and other partners can purchase a public safety camera and they will observe outdoor public spaces only, where the courts have held there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. A project like this is a perfect example of a public safety community partnership, as public safety isn’t just a police responsibility. Community safety is important to all of us. 

For this project to be successful, we will need the support of all our partners. Public safety isn’t just a police responsibility. Community safety is important to all of us.  So, we must embrace technology, use intelligence-led policing, build on existing partnerships and seek opportunities for new ones, and enhance the role of community policing.

The first five public safety cameras are being purchased by the City with the through City’s annual budget funding available in the City’s project budget. 

Additional cameras will be purchased through the support of the community partners, including the initial commitments.

Businesses can call the Fredericton Police Force for more information.

The cost per camera is $7,000.

Incl. hardware, physical infrastructure, wiring, signage and systems support

Tax receipt for financial investment

Fredericton Transit is in the process of installing video and audio recording equipment, known as closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the entire fixed route and para transit buses.

Where are the cameras located?

The paratransit buses will have four cameras with two interior cameras and two exterior cameras.  The larger buses used for fixed-route services will have seven cameras with three interior cameras and four exterior cameras.

Why are cameras being installed on buses?

The safety of our customers and employees is our number-one priority.  Our transit operators are responsible for the safety of our passenger and security cameras have been proven to provide a positive benefit to enhancing security and safety as well as providing evidence in any security or incident investigations.

What will the cameras on buses record and will they be on all the time?

These cameras will record incidents that occur in the passenger area of the buses as well as exterior views to record any accidents.  The cameras will record by audio (internal only) and video. The cameras will be recording at all times.

Are the images or audio captured on cameras permanent and where will they be kept?

The recordings will be kept for less than one month on a secure server unless the recordings are kept as evidence for a specific incident or accident.

Who will have access to view the video recordings on buses?

Only a few pre-authorized Fredericton Transit senior management staff and the police will have access to the recordings.  Police will use them only when necessary and will not be monitoring them full time.

How will the information recorded be secured?

All video and audio recordings are encrypted and can only be viewed using proprietary software controlled by authorized personnel.

Are the cameras sensitive enough to read my phone and how do I know my conversations are confidential?

The video is intended to capture incident and accidents that impact the safety of our passengers.  The cameras are not sensitive enough to read personal phones.  Fredericton Transit values the personal privacy of its passengers and their right to communicate in private. All recordings are subject to applicable privacy laws.

How are you informing bus passenger that CCTV recordings are in use?

Signs will be installed on the interior and exterior of each bus.

How much will the installation cost for the buses?

This project has been funded by the federal and provincial governments and will cost $260,000.

Could these video cameras be used as evidence for anything other than transit issues, accidents? For instance, a custody court case (just an example). How will the City/police decide what can be public and what remains confidential? Who decides this? Is it a case by case basis?

The footage will be used for law enforcement and public safety purposes only. It will be passively (not actively) monitored, meaning they will only be accessed when there is a directed police use – ex, for investigative purposes

Policies and procedures on the use and disclosure of video recording are in accordance with the guidelines established by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

What about a resident’s right to privacy and it being respected? What if a passenger doesn’t want to be recorded?

Complaints can be made to the City Clerk’s Office at 460-2333 or the Privacy Commissioner.

Will the cameras also be used to hold drivers accountable? Will they be used if there is an incident with a driver?

The cameras are NOT automated and are not designed or intended to specifically target motor vehicle infractions. However, if an mother vehicle accident (MVA) )is observed by a camera, it may be used as evidence in an investigation.