City hall to request $2.6 million for Olympic CCTV

Vancouver looks set to get the ball rolling on installing controversial CCTV cameras during the Olympics.

It’s meant to be a temporary measure, but civil liberties critics warn the move will pave the way for permanent closed-circuit TV cameras in Vancouver’s public spaces.

The province and Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit have made up to $2.6 million available for the temporary use of CCTV during the Olympics, according to the city’s office of emergency management.

V2010-ISU is recommending the cameras be deployed along the Granville entertainment district, at the cruise ship terminal area, and at two city-operated ‘Live Sites’ that will host large crowds during the Olympics.

All that’s left to do is for the city to officially request the money.

But Micheal Vonn, policy director for the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, says previous Olympic cities, such as Athens, brought in temporary cameras only to see them made permanent after the games.

“It’s the standard drill with the Olympics,” Vonn said in an interview. “We have no reason to believe these will not be left as a legacy.”

Kevin Wallinger, the city’s director in the office of emergency management, says the future use of the cameras hasn’t been decided.

“Right now, it’s fully intended they would be temporary installations for the games,” Wallinger said.

Police and business groups in Vancouver have previously called for CCTV in the city. Critics, however, dispute their effectiveness, saying studies show cameras tend to move crime around rather than reduce it.

A Penny for your board?

From the fine folks at VANOC:

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) welcomed the City of Vancouver's appointment of Dr. Penny Ballem to VANOC's board of directors today.

Ballem, who was named city manager in December under Mayor Gregor Robertson, is one of two representatives appointed by the city to the board.

Dr. Ballem, who is trained as a clinical hematologist, has over 30 years experience in the public sector in Canada in senior management positions. She also served as the deputy minister of health for British Columbia from 2001 to 2006.

"Penny is known for her passion and drive and has an outstanding track record as someone who has given her heart to public service and is a leader in the community," said Jack Poole, chairman of the VANOC Board of Directors. "We look forward to her contributions and perspective on the challenges ahead in the final 13 months before we host the world in 2010."

The other City of Vancouver representative on the board is businessman Jeff Mooney.

VANOC is guided by a 20-member board of directors nominated by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and local First Nations.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic
Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.