Council puts their eyes on Eye on the Street program

The city took a good look at its Eye on the Street program Monday night.

Video from the program, which has 16 cameras in 12 locations, has been used in 15 convictions said city central support division manager Charles Campbell. It has also helped people in distress. City council received the update Monday night at its regular schedule meeting at city hall.

Mayor Keith Hobbs asked if money from the $167,500 program could be better spent on more staff.

Thunder Bay Police Service chief J.P. Levesque, in his new role for the first time at a council meeting Monday, said while 15 convictions might not seem like a lot the program is one more tool police can use.

Also, the money wouldn’t represent a lot of new staff.

"It doesn’t sound like a lot but it means a lot to us," Levesque said.

The police chief added that watch commanders, a position staffed 24 hours a day, will now be watching the cameras and will be able to dispatch officers more effectively.

For more information about the Eye on the Street program, visit online.