The City of Orillia is going ahead in putting video cameras in the downtown area.
Council last night (MON) approved a recommendation by the Orillia Police Services Board to proceed with the project.
Police Services Board member George Morano says there is a fair amount of criminal activity that takes place downtown.
He says the cameras will allow police to detect suspects and it is a great assistance in solving crimes.
Morano says they plan on putting around 4 to 6 cameras by this spring.
He says the system they will use can be enhanced.
He says if they are able to pick up government grant money they can put it into the system.
Morano says the O-P-P in Quinte West have set up video cameras in downtown streets.
He says soon after they installed the cameras they were able to solve cases and police in Orillia can do the same.
He says that will make the streets in Orillia safer.
Morano says they have a budget of 125 thousand dollars which is enough to purchase six cameras.
He says there is a cost of 5 thousand dollars a year to maintain the system but there is no cost for the first year.
While Council approved the move, they denied a request from the Police Services Board to hire a consultant to draft a proposal.
That job will instead be done by City staff.
