When the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Ontario published its guidelines for the use of video surveillance cameras in public places back in October 2001 [.PDF], it summarized that institutions considering their use "must balance the benefits of video surveillance to the public against an individual’s right to be free of unwarranted intrusion into his or her life. Pervasive, routine and random surveillance of ordinary, lawful public activities interferes with an individual’s privacy." As......

If you remember the "handing over" of Iraq to Iraqi authorities by the US-led coalition a few seasons ago, you may recall that, in order to prevent terrorist attacks, the ceremony was performed a day early. Yup, W, you sure pulled a fast one on them. Well, we couldn't help but draw the mental parallel between that auspicious day and the rolling-out of new police cameras three days ahead of schedule, perhaps to zigzag......

Whether public surveillance cams make you feel all safe n’ cosy, or whether you find them an egregious infringement on your right to litter, tag, and engage in other anti-social behaviour, the Toronto Police Services Board wants to talk to you about it. As many readers will recall, the TPSB recently ended a month long test of closed circuit cameras on Yonge near Dundas, and have said that the cameras are proving helpful in the......

We're experimenting with a new daily photo posting. Each weekday morning, we'll pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! We laughed and laughed at first sighting of Torontogal's candid street image -- our city's finest checking parking tickets on horseback. It's such an awesome capture. It contains all the elements......

Former Toronto police chief and current OPP commissioner Julian Fantino is being sued for allegedly using a Police Services board case to maliciously advance his own career. The suit accuses Fantino of multiple skullduggeries, including wiretapping the chair of the Police Services Board. Now, I know what you're thinking - "but Julian Fantino was such a nice police chief. Except for the corruption scandals and the racial profiling and the homophobia." TTC considering leasing out......

It appears that most members of the Liberal caucus will support Stephen Harper’s resolution that Quebec be considered a “nation” within Canada. Toronto Police Services Board chairman Dr. Alok Mukherjee now wants to hold a public inquiry into possible cases of corruption, cover-ups and general nasty stuff by members of the Toronto police department. This should come as no surprise: The day after it was announced October was the deadliest month in the history of......

The City is paying over $28 million to make sure we get bigger recycling bins. The plan is to make recycling easier for Torontonians. We think the Sun's headline spells it out best "Recycling now 4 times the fun." Who could hate that? The OPP raid biker gang strongholds all over the province, including a chapter of the Vagabonds here in Toronto. They found guns and meth labs. 500 police officers were involved in the......

If you're even a casual viewer of Cops, you'll know how spectacular a TASER takedown can be. Looking straight out of a Star Wars flick, this bug-zapper-for-people sends a whole whack of electricity into the body, disrupting muscular and nervous function and rendering the target helpless. The charge is meant to be non-lethal, and the various incarnations of the weapon have been widely adopted by police forces who enthusiastically hail their effectiveness. The Toronto Police......

Blame it on the warm weather, but in the last 24 hours the city has seen two drownings. Police found a man who fell into Toronto harbour right at the foot of Yonge St. Police aren't sure why the man jumped in or whether he was pushed. An eight-year old boy drowned in Etobicoke Creek yesterday. The creek's waters rose quickly because of yesterday's storm. Two men tried to save the boy but failed, they......

Not only did the Toronto Police Services Board unanimously approve a decision to hire 150 new officers, but they also accepted a decision to force all officers, including big chief Blair, to wear name tags. Somehow, the nametags will cost $142,000. Perhaps they are made of gold, to give the officers a bit of style. If they're going to cost this much though, then TOist suggests they opt for those hoop earrings for the ladies,......

Last week, Dalton wouldn't call. And now, Toronto's Police Services Board says Milly can't have the say in the determination of the Police Chief that he'd so wanted to have. It's not news that MDM wanted a Chief who would dwell within city limits, but that might be the last of his airings on the matter. Chair Pam McConnell voted against letting him sit in on the interviews, but hopes he'll still have some role......