Latest news with #MarkCrowell
CBC
18-05-2025
- CBC
Waterloo regional police call on homeowners and businesses to register security cameras
Police in Waterloo region are asking property owners and businesses to register their security camera locations to help in criminal investigations. The program called CAMsafe is a public safety initiative that police hope will provide evidence in an area where a crime has been committed. Shaena Morris, the superintendent of investigative services with Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), said this will give investigators quicker access to video footage. "It saves us the time of having to go out, knock on doors, door-to-door," said Morris. "A lot of times we can communicate with people electronically. So they might be at work, we'd still be able to speak with them, contact them through email, whatever, instead of going door-to-door doing our usual canvas." Morris said police do not have access to anyone's video security cameras without permission and it is a free and voluntary program. All people have to do is register the locations of cameras such as doorbell cams, CCTV systems and other surveillance devices into a secure data base that only police can access. If a crime is being investigated in their area police would have direct contact with the owner to ask permission for the video recording. The program is voluntary and a person can withdraw their consent at any time. "CAMSafe is another important tool that helps us work in partnership with the community to enhance public safety," said WRPS Chief Mark Crowell. "By registering a camera location, residents and business owners can play a direct role in helping prevent and solve crime in their neighbourhoods." Interest in program seen across the country CAMsafe was developed and launched in 2021 by the Belleville Police Service. Since then other police services across the province have started using it, including Hanover, Peterborough, Saugeen Shores and Kawartha Lakes along with Ontario Provincial Police detachments. Guelph Police Service (GPS) launched a similar program called the Security Cameras Assisting Neighbours in Guelph or SCANinGuelph in February of 2022. When CBC K-W spoke to GPS in August of 2024 they indicated 150 businesses and residents signed up. Since then, Guelph police media relations coordinator Scott Tracey says the number has grown to 268 registered cameras across the city. "The registry is already helping to make investigations more efficient and effective by identifying the locations of existing cameras," said Tracey. "This allows officers investigating incidents to directly approach residents and businesses which have registered their cameras, rather than walking door-to-door to look for them." SCANinGuelph is a voluntary program that allows police to view any security camera footage, including Ring cams, on a case-by-case basis when a crime has been committed. Similar security programs have been started by the RCMP and police services across the country in cities like Vancouver, Edmonton and North Bay.
CBC
19-03-2025
- CBC
Police made 17 arrests, laid over 250 charges during St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Waterloo
Police laid more than 250 charges and arrested 17 people in Waterloo during a large street party in the University district to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Saturday. Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Chief Mark Crowell laid out the summary during a police board meeting on Wednesday. Crowell said at its peak, the crowd size on Marshall Street ballooned to between 20,000 and 25,000 people. Policing that many people "requires considerable resources, not only from police, additional police partners that assisted us, but also all of the other emergency service partners," he told media during the meeting. "It has impacts on the work that we're doing within that vicinity, but throughout the region and also into our health-care system and other community supports as well," he said. Crowell confirmed that between 5 p.m. on March 13 and 3:30 a.m. on March 18, officers responded to more than 450 calls, resulting in over 250 charges and 17 arrests. The charges included: 168 Highway Traffic Act charges, including: Novice driver BAC above zero, unnecessary noise, driving while under suspension, careless driving. 35 Liquor Licence and Control Act charges, including: Being intoxicated in a public place. 19 Criminal Code charges, including: Operation while impaired, assault, dangerous operation, sexual assault, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, disobeying a court order (injunction). Police say a full report will be released to the police service board at their meeting scheduled for April 16. In the meantime, police officials say they will continue to analyze footage from various cameras that may result in additional charges for those who participated in the unsanctioned gathering. The summary comes a day after the City of Waterloo outlined the number of fines given out by bylaw enforcement. Bylaw officers responded to 129 complaints and issued 36 fines in relation to the Marshall Street gathering during the St. Patrick's Day weekend. According to a news release sent out Tuesday, the fines were issued between 5 p.m. on March 15 and 7 a.m. March 18, totalling $25,200. WATCH | Hundreds of St. Patrick's day party goers took to the streets despite court injunction: Waterloo's University District was a sea of green for St. Patrick's Day, despite injunction 4 days ago Duration 0:51 Hundreds of students gathered on Marshall Street on Saturday in Waterloo's University District to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. A court injunction allowing police to detain and arrest anyone attending an unsanctioned street party in that city this weekend didn't stop the gathering. Police would not say if anyone was arrested, but a spokesperson told CBC News they "encourage those planning to celebrate, to do so in smaller gatherings, at licensed establishments, or at home." Inaugural injunction use This year's plan to address the street parties was a first-of-its-kind approach as the City of Waterloo was granted an injunction order by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. That meant police were allowed to detain, arrest and charge anyone participating in unsanctioned street parties. Leading up the weekend, police said they hoped the injunction would deter students from taking part in the historically massive street party. Still, thousands of party-goers flooded Marshall Street on Saturday to take part in the mass festivities. Of the 17 arrests made, Crowell said only one was made under the rule of the injunction. "There was one criminal charge for disobeying court orders directly related to the nuisance bylaw," he said. Crowell added he feels the injunction was justified, saying it was a test run "for planning any type of gathering moving forward, not just St, Patrick's Day, but homecoming and other gatherings." Ian McLean, the police board chair, called the party "a disgrace." "[It's] really troubling and very disappointing that students decided that their social time is more important that public safety," said McLean, who is also the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. "This is a safety issue. It always has been ... not only road safety, but putting at risk other people in the community is just a disgrace." Police preparation Police say they spent several months developing a substantial operational plan which included the use of emergency response resources from: The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). City of Waterloo bylaw. Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services. Waterloo Fire Rescue. Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Wilfrid Laurier University Special Constable Services. In an emailed statement to CBC News, police explained that throughout Saturday morning and early afternoon, there were small gatherings located on private property but the people involved were respectful and law-abiding. That apparently changed around 2 p.m. "At about 2:45 p.m., a large crowd was observed descending off the sidewalk and onto Marshall Street in what we believed was a planned, organized attempt to take over the street," reads the release. "We are disappointed in the decision made by the individuals who selfishly tied up critical emergency service response throughout Waterloo region."
