By Jamie Bradburn

After a six-month pilot project by Toronto Police Services, the closed circuit television cameras placed at Queen Street West and Bathurst were removed yesterday morning. The intersection was chosen due to a higher-than-average violent crime rate, though some local residents at a January public forum felt the cameras would shift illegal activities to neighbouring streets. The CCTV tests around the city have also raised privacy issues and sparked debate about their crime-fighting effectiveness.
Reader Simon Plashkes captured the removal process, which a hydro supervisor noted was partly due to “human respect.” The supervisor also indicated that the cameras will be used elsewhere in the city.
Photos by Simon Plashkes