Security cameras back on in Yellowknife, new policy adopted

Some publicsurveillance cameras are backon in Yellowknife, and a new security camera policy is in place.

The city shut down the cameras last month, after CBCNews and local media reportedthe technology was used by some city staff, includingthe head of the municipal enforcement division, to allegedly zoom in on andoglewomen. The allegations date back to 2014.

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The cameras at the Yellowknife Public Library, Fieldhouse an Multiplex were reactivated as of Tuesday. Additional cameras will be turned back on later, according to a city news release.

The release states during the time they were shut off, city staffassessed the rationale for allcamera placements and created a policy to governsecurity camera usage.

A new policy governs camera use

A new Security Camera Policy was also implemented as of Monday guidelines making surecity employeesresponsiblyuse public cameras for safety reasons or protecting the city's properties.

The policy statesthe cameras can only be installed and monitoredwhen deemednecessaryto address a specific issue, when there isn't another way that's "less privacy-invasive" to address that issue.

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Itsays the footage should only be accessed byauthorized employees, the city's chief lawyer, specific employees from the municipal information technologydivisionand others, with approval from the city's senior administrative officer.

The policy states that when possible, using the cameras to observe,monitorand recordshould be restricted.

Signs must be posted where surveillance cameras are used and the name and phone numberof a city employeeoverseeing the cameras should alwaysbe on these signs.

Cameras should not be recording in areas where expectations of privacy are higher, like in change rooms and washrooms, says the policy.

The city also put out a public notice of a special municipal services committee meeting Thursday to discuss the inquiryinto allegations of workplace misconduct in the city's municipal enforcement division.

Earlier this month, the city held a secret meeting to discuss the inquiry, and no records were kept of that meeting.

Thursday'scommittee meeting is at city hall at 5:15 p.m.

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