First police CCTV cameras go live, two locations in Waterloo switched on
Posted Jun 24, 2026 04:33:05 AM.
Last Updated Jun 24, 2026 12:10:16 PM.
The first of the new police surveillance cameras and licence plate scanners are now switched on at two locations in Waterloo.
A news release that came out Tuesday from the Waterloo Regional Police Service said the locations went live that same day. The cameras at King Street North at University Avenue West are in the heart of the university district. The cameras at King Street North at Conestogo Road are at the north entrance to Conestoga Mall.
Installation and activation of the cameras and scanners are still to come in Kitchener, Cambridge, and the Township of North Dumfries.
In total, 52 cameras will eventually be up and running at 10 locations.
The cameras do not actively watch over the locations; they’re only used for gathering evidence “in the event of a crime or major incident.”
The release said any video that is not required for an investigation is automatically deleted after 30 days.
The ALPR scanners do actively scan licence plates, and can send an alert to officers about vehicles associated with active investigations, or vehicles that have been reported as stolen.
The technology is described as “an additional tool to support investigations and improve response to incidents.”
It was originally meant to become active in the early part of this year.
Police Chief Mark Crowell said, “Our goal is to enhance community safety while respecting the rights and freedoms of the community we serve.”
He added that the closed-circuit television systems with the automated licence plate recognition technology will be used “responsibly and transparently.”
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