One Hamilton, Ontario, man decided to surveil his property amid elevated crime, but the city shut him down.
Dan Myles installed 10 security cameras outside his home, a measure he says has not only helped prevent break-ins but also aided in police investigations. “Because we had a lot of break and enters into our home and homes around us,” Myles said in giving his reason for the cameras.
Now, Hamilton city officials are telling him they must come down. CHCH reached out to former Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Ann Cavoukian, who gave an explanation for the decision.
“Privacy is extremely important, it forms the foundation of our freedom, so to go about filming everyone without their knowledge or consent I find very unacceptable,” she said.
“You’re on your own personal area, your property, and that’s why you can do it at the door of your house, but always have a sign that you’re being recorded.”
Myles’ neighbors commented that they’re okay with his added security measures. “I just feel like here we have someone in our community who is going above and beyond to try and protect us,” Jane Yates, who lives nearby, said of Myles for taking initiative.
Although police did not confirm to CHCH that they used Myles’ footage previously, they said the department works with homeowners in various ways to catch criminals by using footage. Myles posts his break-ins he records online.