PUBLIC SAFETY TRAILER

Public Safety Trailer: Enhancing Community Security

What is the Public Safety Trailer?

The Public Safety Trailer is a mobile monitoring unit designed to assist in maintaining safety and reducing crime in our community. Equipped with cameras, a mast, a sustainable fuel source, and secure communication systems, this trailer is strategically deployed in areas where additional oversight can help deter and investigate criminal activity.

Why Are We Using It?

Our community deserves a safe environment for everyone to live, work, and play. By deploying the Public Safety Trailer, we aim to:

• Deter crime through visible monitoring.
• Collect evidence to aid investigations and prosecutions.
• Address safety concerns in areas with higher crime rates.

This tool is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing public safety and building trust within the community.

When Are We Using It? 

The Public Safety Trailer is deployed in specific situations where additional security measures would be beneficial, including: 

• Key Areas of Concern – locations identified by our Crime Analyst and Intelligence Officers as experiencing a spike in crime or public disorder. 
• Large Public Events – Celebrations or community gatherings where large groups of people and families are expected to come together.  
• Demonstrations or Protests with a Risk of Disorder or Violence – Gatherings between opposing groups with a history of conflict, weapons-related incidents, or violence, or where intelligence suggests a potential for such activity.  
• In Response to Public Feedback or Concerns – Business owners or members of the public requesting assistance to deter acts of vandalism, public disorder, or other crimes. 

Privacy: Our Commitment to Protecting Your Rights

We understand that privacy is important. To ensure the trailer is used responsibly, we have implemented several safeguards:

• Purpose-Driven Monitoring: Footage is collected solely to address criminal activity and safety concerns.
• No Advanced Surveillance Technology: The cameras on the trailer are simple, standard recording devices. There is no facial recognition software, thermal imaging, or other advanced surveillance technology being utilized.
• Secure Storage: All video footage is securely stored and accessible only to authorized personnel for investigative purposes.
• Exclusive Use of Footage: The footage captured is not shared with any other institutions, organizations, or agencies. It is used solely for the purpose of gathering evidence in the event of an offence in the monitored area.
• Limited Retention: Recorded footage is retained only for a specific period, in accordance with legal requirements and department policies.
• Restricted Deployment: The trailer is deployed based on evidence-based decisions, not for general surveillance.
• Privacy Impact Assessment: A privacy impact assessment (PIA) is a process used to determine how a program or service could affect the privacy of an individual. It can also help to avoid or lessen possible negative effects on privacy that might result from a program or service. It is a step-by-step review process to make sure we protect the information, if any, that we collect during deployments of the PST. We work with privacy experts to identify, evaluate and manage privacy risks.

Transparency and Community Engagement

We want to be transparent about how the Public Safety Trailer operates. If you have questions or concerns about its use, we encourage you to reach out to us directly.

Contact Us: westvanpolice.ca/contact

Call Us: 604-925-7300

We are committed to working together to keep our community safe while respecting your privacy.