After several complaints and a run-in with RCMP police brass, Centurion Security has decided to remove the four video cameras it set up on the Sutherland Drugs roof to record city street life.
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 11/01) - Big Brother has left the building -- for now.
Citing "unseen legal issues" and a public outcry, Centurion Security has taken down its controversial security cameras.
The four cameras, mounted on the roof of Sutherland's Drugs at the intersection of Franklin and 50th Street were removed Wednesday evening. The mountings for the cameras will remain in place.
Dave Beckwith, president of Centurion, says that "it's going to take a longer period of time," to sell Yellowknifers on the high-tech surveillance system.
"They're worrying about being watched, but if they're lying in a hospital bed paralyzed and not knowing who hit them, they're going to wish those cameras had been up," said Beckwith.
The cameras caused an uproar among Yellowknifers with Internet discussion boards blazing with arguments both in favour, and against the cameras.
Beckwith says one of the reasons for his taking the eyes in the sky down was "to prevent further confrontation with the people of Yellowknife."
Beckwith suffered the slings and arrows of an outraged public even while talking to the press. During an interview and photo shoot in front of Sutherland's, a driver in a truck rolled down his window and told Beckwith someone "should shove those cameras up your ass."
Staff Sgt. Dave Grundy, RCMP "G" Division Commander, says that while he's proposed cameras in Yellowknife before, "there's a lot of bridges to cross."
At the request of City Council, Yellowknife Mayor Gordon Van Tighem sent a letter to Beckwith asking him to take down the cameras. In the letter, Van Tighem said council felt it wasn't the right time to have downtown under surveillance. The letter added that this, "should not preclude future opportunities, should the need arise."
To that end, Beckwith says he has asked city council to consider his firm, "when the city is ready for it."
