Region, Kitchener, Cambridge sign on to police-operated CCTV camera program
Posted May 6, 2026 07:23:09 AM.
Last Updated May 6, 2026 10:59:42 AM.
The Waterloo regional police service’s CCTV camera program passed a significant hurdle this week, with the region, Kitchener and Cambridge agreeing to sign on.
The plan includes installing 52 cameras in 10 locations across the municipality, looking to gain more sets of eyes for use in investigations.
The cameras, when installed, would not be used as a live feed; they would be accessed retroactively as a tool for investigations, and any unused footage would be deleted after 30 days if it isn’t part of an active investigation.
“There will be no traffic enforcement, no live-monitoring and no bylaw enforcement. This is essentially to create a network of strategically-placed cameras around the region, driven by data,” said Police Chief Mark Crowell.
Regional police have commitments in place with the City of Waterloo and the Township of North Dumfries; the Township of Wilmot council decided to hold off on putting an agreement with the police service in place.
City of Kitchener council voted in favour of entering an agreement with the Waterloo Regional Police Service to let them use city-owned infrastructure at a council meeting on Monday.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and three councillors weren’t in favour of the program, citing privacy concerns.
“I was born in a country where that lack of privacy existed,” said Vrbanovic. “I’ve also visited countries in Asia where cameras are being used and have crossed that line.”
A Region of Waterloo committee also moved through approvals to sign on the CCTV camera program.
“Don’t do anything that would jeopardize you by being seen by one of these cameras and there won’t be any concerns about privacy,” said Councillor Jim Erb.
In Cambridge, the city released a statement on Tuesday informing the public of their intention to work with police on the CCTV camera program.
“These agreements reflect our commitment to keeping Cambridge a safe community for residents and visitors to enjoy, while working collaboratively with our partners at WRPS,” said Mayor Jan Liggett. “They are part of our ongoing efforts to improve how we work together to respond to issues in the community while ensuring privacy, accountability and public trust remain a priority.”
Despite having agreements in place, regional police have yet to install cameras in Waterloo as the police service works through “agreements with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a consistent and coordinated approach,” according to Inspector Jarrett Brown of the Innovation and Modernization division.
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