(Updated Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026)
Only a week after approvals at a Kitchener committee, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is now looking to bring CCTV cameras into one of the local townships, saying it’s been a target for organized crime.
Councillors in the Township of North Dumfries were presented with a report from the local police service at a meeting on Monday night, with the hopes of adding a CCTV camera and license plate reader at a busy part of the region.
“In 2025, as part of the Guns, Gangs, and Violence Reduction Strategy, the Government of Ontario awarded funding to WRPS to establish a CCTV program,” the presentation from WRPS to North Dumfries councillors details.
“Cameras include a combination of Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PZT), Bullet, and Multi-sensor cameras, each with a different function.”
The current proposal would see those resources installed at the corner of Northumberland Street and Alps Road, just north of Ayr.
According to Deputy Chief Jennifer Davis, who presented the details included in the report, that stretch has seen a 5-year increasing trend in organized crime
She specified that the reasoning mainly stems from its close proximity to Cedar Creek Road, and more notably, its Highway 401 access.
The presentation stated that the assessment was “determined using an evidence-based, data-driven approach.”
“Transport trucks that have been stolen, as well as transport truck trailers that have been stolen,” said Davis.
“We’ve also seen an increase in mischief calls, assault calls, theft calls, and other property-related offences. It does show the need for an additional investigation tool here to help solve some of these offences.”
It comes right on the heels of a Kitchener committee agreeing to move forward with its own CCTV cameras at two key locations, including Downtown Kitchener along King Street.
Davis went into details on the footage captured, saying any details and video could only be accessed within 30-days of the time it was captured.
“If something were to come up three months down the road, is that something where that footage is no longer available, or is it something that could still be brought up?” asked Councillor Scott Tilley.
“No, it would be gone after 30 days, so there is an importance of trying to get it as timely as we could,” said David.
“At 30 days, it would automatically be deleted from the system.”
Those councillors ultimately approved the recommendations for the license plate reader and CCTV camera at the key intersection, saying WRPS still has further plans for additional cameras to be installed all throughout Waterloo Region.
With the approval, township staff will now get to work on planning and preparing for the integration of those surveillance units.
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