Vancouver passes motion to allow police access to traffic cameras [Video]

Vancouver city council has voted for a motion that will grant police access to the city’s traffic camera network.

The motion, put forward by ABC councillors Peter Meiszner and Brian Montague passed Wednesday.

“The big thing here is we’re providing police with a tool that allows them to do their job more effectively, more efficiently, and more safely,” Montague said. “It’s something that’s long overdue. We’ve got infrastructure in the city that’s completely underutilized.”

According to the report, the city has around 221 traffic cameras. The cameras have not previously been accessible to the Vancouver Police Department. If the organization wants images or video from the cameras, they must do so online, just like the public.

“It would help improve how they allocate resources during certain 911 calls, large scale events, and missing persons calls,” Montague said.

Aislin Jackson, policy staff counsel with The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, worries the …