VANCOUVER MAYOR DOESN'T THINK CAMERAS STOP CRIME

Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell isn't convinced that proposed surveillance
cameras for the Downtown Eastside are necessary.

Vancouver police have lobbied for cameras to monitor the open-air drug
dealing that plagues Vancouver's poorest neighbourhood -- but yesterday,
Campbell questioned the $500,000 investment.

"I'm not convinced a case has been made in terms of their impact on crime
or their cost-effectiveness," he said. "As a former police officer, I say,
'OK, there's a camera in a certain place. So the crime moves. Do we put
another camera there?' "

Campbell said he's also concerned about possible privacy violations.

Kelowna RCMP set up a surveillance camera on Queensway and arrested
individuals caught committing crimes.

But Federal Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski has challenged the RCMP's
right to spy on the public.

The case will be heard in B.C. Supreme Court but the date not yet been set.
In the interim, Kelowna RCMP have moved the camera.

The proposal to install up to a dozen cameras in Vancouver is in limbo
until the court case is heard. Public meetings for proponents and opponents
to express their views on the cameras will have to wait.

"Our project is basically on hold," said Const. Sarah Bloor, Vancouver's
police spokeswoman . "We would still like them in place, but we're waiting
for the results of the court case."