The City of Summerside should use video surveillance as part of the tools for police to deal with the issue of graffiti. Summerside is looking at WIFI hot-spots so why not incorporate video surveillance? Not all of what is in plain sight is held lawful by the courts, however most of what is in plain sight is admissible in court.
I had earlier questioned the legitimacy of Summerside police marking tires with chalk without cause. It’s my opinion police using video surveillance for graffiti and parking tickets would stand a legal challenge.
There is an investigation into the shooting death of a young man. It is my opinion the attorney general should have reviewed police cameras on police vests when P.E.I. brought in long carbine rifles for officers. Having video cameras would assist those conducting the current investigation.
Business owners could also give consent for police to use video surveillance to deter and prosecute graffiti. Not all what is in plain sight used by police is lawful in courts that doesn't mean Summerside can't seek a legal opinion about video surveillance to reduce graffiti.
John W.A. Curtis,
Summerside
