Video surveillance expands in P.E.I. schools

The Eastern School District has begun to install surveillance cameras in all its schools, following the lead of the Western School Board, which put them in its high schools three years ago.

'We're not out there in the business of spying.' John Miodowski, Eastern School District

The cameras are meant to make the schools more secure. They are going inside and out, into high traffic areas and secluded corners. By September, they will be installed in high schools, junior highs and at Glen Stewart Elementary in Stratford. The rest of the schools will get their cameras the following year.

District property manager John Miodowski told CBC News Wednesday the main purpose of the cameras is to give authorities a way to track a possible intruder, part of new measures that included implementing lockdown drills in schools last year.They could also be used to keep on eye on students.

"If there's incidents of vandalism going on or bullying, you know, they might be able to pick up on this and stop the situation as quick as possible," said Miodowski.

"We're not out there in the business of spying, but we have to know in this day and age what's happening within our buildings."

Western School Board superintendent Dale Sabean said the cameras in his high schools have reduced vandalism and helped enforce the law.

"Perhaps there's an altercation in the hallways; perhaps there's an accusation of a theft," said Sabean.

"We're able to use those cameras and see if there's things going on there that we can either use ourselves or pass along to the police."

The western board doesn't plan to set up surveillance in elementary and intermediate schools, but it does have portable cameras it uses where they're needed.