Smile! You’re on Candid Camera!

That phrase made famous by Alan Funt on his 60s TV show may well be the new slogan for the city’s entertainment district if Toronto Police get their way.

They want to put closed circuit security cameras along the increasingly popular downtown strip, to help cut down on the amount of perceived violence plaguing the area.

Shootings, knifings and disturbances at many after hour nightclubs both inside and outside the district have had investigators running non-stop over the last few months, often facing uncooperative witnesses, patrons who scatter and disappear, and a paucity of clues.

The dangerous combination of testosterone, alcohol and weapons can combine for deadly results. And cops think having the incidents on tape will make finding the troublemakers easier.

The same kind of surveillance is currently standard in London, England’s downtown hotspots. But some fear the Big Brother nature of the unblinking eye will make many reluctant to bring their business there.

“I think that a lot of people have the feeling that it is an invasion of privacy, and that's really not what it's about,” counters Sandra Porter of the Toronto Entertainment District Association. “It is similar to that it would be in a variety store.”

Porter insists the cameras wouldn’t be monitored on a real time basis, and would only be consulted when there’s a criminal incident. Her group is still waiting to hear from the city about funding before deciding whether the project is financially feasible.

But some still fear the plan. “Security is pretty important but that sounds to me like it's a bit of 'Big Brother',” responds Fiona O’Neil. “So I would probably be a bit against that myself.”



If the cameras come to pass, they wouldn’t be the first surveillance devices gazing down fixedly on Toronto streets. Lenses already stare at Dundas Square, while every subway station in the city is monitored on closed circuit cameras.

I don't support that at all...it's unnecessary and overly intrusive. Put some more cops on the street instead of cameras and they'll be far less opposition with the same results. What a lame $$$ saving idea.

It's *not* at all like "a variety store". A variety store is a private business on private property, the owner of which has decided to put up cameras to protect their own business and for their own safety.

Cameras in an entire section of public space doesn't seem too similar to me...

I don't have anything to hide...if it will increase the security and reduce the crooks and criminals then I think it's not a bad idea. Youre being watched on the subway and on Dudnas square area...has that changed your life? As long as it's used properly I don't have a problem with it personally.

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I don't see what the big deal is. No one's going to sit and watch...there isn't enough manpower. They would just be reviewed when crimes occur like the cameras at money machines. Be thankful.

^^^^
you just like to be on camera

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Nathan Fake - Outhouse (Valentino Kanzyani Remix) || ID PLZ! PVD ID!!!
Disco and classical had sex while watching a sci-fi movie. Their child: trance.

anyway, there's way more cameras in the UK... they're everywhere there

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Nathan Fake - Outhouse (Valentino Kanzyani Remix) || ID PLZ! PVD ID!!!
Disco and classical had sex while watching a sci-fi movie. Their child: trance.

I think its fine also, all these people and witnesses who see shit but wont come forward to help put the idiots away, its their own fault. I have more to say about that, but i just dont want to type anymore at the moment.

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If assholes could fly, this place would be a fucking airport
Proud Founder of the "Fuck you, you're annoying, i don't like you, bitch" Alliance.
~Official Member of the Dirty Clown Alliance~

If you are ashamed to be seen by cameras, shouldn't you be ashamed of being seen by other people in the club either ?

i could give 2 shits...nothing to hide.

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they put some 20 cameras on a busy street to watch the drug dealers...

they just moved a couple of blocks away

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They have installed these cameras in downtown hamilton and have seemed to serve their purpose. It has lead to 2 arrests and reduced loitering in a short time.


Whats the big deal. I forgot what the avg number is but you are likely to be taped on multiple cameras in any given day.

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So much for smokin crack in the alleyways of Adelaide and Peter. Maybe ill have some peanutbutter and crack sandwhiches instead...