Surveillance cameras to be installed after west-end shootings

Ottawa Community Housing has agreed to a pilot project that will see surveillance cameras installed in parts of the Bay Ward area.

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The decision comes after Ottawa police and community leaders met Tuesday evening to come up with a plan after police investigated three shootings in two weeks on Penny Drive in the city's west end, as well as other west-end shootings.

Closed-circuit surveillancecameras will be set up today, Dec. 17,in common outdoor areas that police have identified alongside community housing safety workers "as being known hot spots for illegal activity."

The cameras will monitor the sites 24/7, and video footage will be provided to police "if required," said a media release issued Wednesday by Ottawa Community Housing.

Police have linked the shootings to Ottawa's criminal drug trade and said they will continue to enhance patrols in the neighbourhood.

Coun.Mark Taylor says the cameras will help police monitor hot spots for illegal activity and said partners are also developing a long-term plan that will encourage people to share information.

Residents asked for cameras, says councillor

"Community reporting is an element we have to figure out a way around," Taylor said. "It's a tough one to try and work through if we've got residents who say I'm concerned for my safety if I report things."

Taylor told Hallie Cotnam on CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning he would have problems with security cameras inside residences, but said in outside common areas he believes it is a good ideaand he said residents support the plan.

"The call for cameras and more surveillance came from residents, and they are the ones who live there," he said. "They don't seem to have any reservations."

Community groups and police plan to meet again in January to allowresidents togive feedback on the project.

• ON MOBILE?Click here to see map of west-end shootings

Below: a map of recent shootings in Ottawa's west end. Locations are approximate.