CCTV cameras heading to region’s provincial highways

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) are set to deploy a series of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras across the region’s provincial highways.

Key provincial highways running throughout Waterloo Region include Highway 7, Highway 8, Highway 85, and more.

While the two haven’t stated how many cameras will be installed or where they will specifically be located, it’s said that they will be placed in a manner that will “help deter, detect, and investigate serious criminal activity.”

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“On behalf of WRPS, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Government of Ontario for this partnership as it represents an important public safety alliance,” said WRPS Chief Mark Crowell.

“As criminal networks become more advanced, the Waterloo Regional Police Service is proud to be a provincial leader regarding the responsible use of technology to combat serious illegal activity.”

The local service and the province have said that the region’s close proximity to the 401 corridor has created impacts all across Waterloo Region when it comes to organized crime in particular, which then extends beyond the regional boundaries, “including offenders who travel to the Region to target residents, businesses, and property.”

“As sophisticated criminal organizations continue to evolve, our police services need modern tools and technology to stay one step ahead,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

“Through our CCTV Grant Program, our government is making targeted investments that help police detect criminal activity, strengthen investigations, and keep dangerous offenders off our streets.”

Those cameras will be paired with automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) technology, similar to what WRPS has already implemented at key areas across the region on municipal roadways.

As of Sept. 23,  there are 15 CCTV cameras and ALPR installations across Waterloo Region, including five in Cambridge, two in North Dumfries, five in Waterloo, and three in Kitchener.

Those locations include:

Kitchener

• Fairway Road at Wilson Avenue
• Fairway Road at Highway 8
• King Street and Ontario Street

Cambridge

• Hespeler Road and Bishop Street North
• Franklin Boulevard and Avenue Road
• Ainslie Street North at Simcoe Street
• Christopher Drive at Champlain Boulevard
• Main Street and Ainslie Street

Township of North Dumfries

• Cedar Creek Road at Northumberland Street
• Cedar Creek Road at Dumfries Road

Waterloo

• King Street North at Conestogo Road
• University Ave West at King Street North
• Bridgeport Road East and Regina Street North
• Erb Street East and Peppler Street
• Bridgeport Road East and King Street North

According to police, between Jan. 1 and Sept. 11, 2026, WRPS’ in-cruiser ALPR program alerted officers to 7,749 license plates of interest to police, including plates tied to stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, wanted persons, and active criminal investigations.

It added that, among those alerts, they contributed to 75 vehicle recoveries, 94 arrests, and 77 total charges.

“Our government is cracking down on car theft. Stolen vehicles leave families stranded and fuel organized crime,” said Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr.

“This agreement with the Ministry of Transportation allows WRPS to install automated licence plate recognition cameras on provincial highways, helping officers identify stolen vehicles quickly and hold the perpetrators accountable who are often coming from outside the Region.”

It all comes as the provincial government awarded $100,000 to WRPS to establish its CCTV program in 2025, as part of its Guns, Gangs, and Violence Reduction Strategy.

Regional police has stated that the technologies have proven to be a valuable crime suppression tool across Waterloo Region, helping to deter and detect criminal activity while supporting investigations by providing reliable evidence to police, now hoping the same initiatives can spread through this partnership to provincial roadways and key entry points to the region.