January 26, 2000

A citizen's committee that formed after the stabbing death of Michael Goldie-Ryder early last year will meet Monday with a city hall committee to request assistance in financing the anti-crime endeavor.

The money to purchase 18 cameras for the downtown core has been raised by the committee for community safety. This includes a $12,000 donation from the University of Western Ontario to fund one camera. So far the fundraising effort has focused on financing the cameras. They now face further funding challenges to get the cameras rolling.

Mandy Alvaro, co-chair of the safety committee hopes the city will cover the remaining costs necessary to get the project rolling. "We took the responsibility of doing the fundraising efforts to actually purchase all the cameras required for the downtown, now we hope the city will do their part in spending in terms of operational costs."

Alvaro's committee will present a business plan to the city's community and protective services (CAPS) committee outlining issues such as cost, ownership and feasibility of the venture.

Police Sgt. Steve Goodine compiled a feasibility report to be included in the presentation and will be at the meeting to lend his support to the project. He says the results of the meeting will depend on what CAPS sees as a priority. "There is some urgency to rejuvenate downtown and this would just be part of that."

Goodine says other cities that have used the cameras for safety measures have seen crime rates reduced by up to 20 per cent. However, he says there are many factors that could affect the city's decision to support the plan, including public acceptance, cost and control.

If CAPS likes what they hear at the meeting they will have to approach council and request funding. Alvaro is optimistic. She says that if all goes as planned there is a good possibility that the cameras will be installed within the next six months. "I'd like to see them in by the summer."