The Regina Police Service wishes to advise the public that there will be video surveillance systems in use in selected locations during the week of the 101st Grey Cup Festival. Video surveillance systems include closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs), as well as video, still-frame, digital and time-lapse cameras.
The Regina Police Service believes there is a legitimate operational purpose for using video surveillance during the 101st Grey Cup Festival. These cameras will be monitored by members of the Regina Police Service during the operational period as a means of:
– protecting public safety and enhancing perception of safety;
– detecting or deterring criminal activity; and
– assisting in the investigation of alleged criminal activity.
The Regina Police Service is notifying the public of the presence of these cameras through news releases sent to traditional media, and on the RPS website at as well as on social media sites: twitter @reginapolice and facebook www.facebook.com/ReginaPoliceService . There will also be signage indicating area where video surveillance is in use; this signage is consistent with the “look” of other temporary signs posted for all 101st Grey Cup Festival venues and activity zones. The data (images) gathered will be maintained and controlled by police; in other words, the images will not be accessible to, or shared with, the general public. There will be no disclosure of images unless they form part of a court proceeding.
The Regina Police Service believes the benefits of video surveillance outweigh the temporary encroachment on individuals’ sense of privacy. Also, the video surveillance will be in public areas or privately-owned spaces to which the public has access, so there is no expectation of privacy.
The video surveillance enhancements for the 101st Grey Cup Festival are not permanent fixtures. The equipment will be removed as the 101st Grey Cup Festival infrastructure and committees are dismantled. As indicated, the cameras and equipment will be identified by signage. Exact locations will not be included in this release; however, the general areas affected will be from Albert Street and Dewdney Avenue to Albert Street and 13th Avenue (The Green Mile) and other festival venues where high attendance by the public is anticipated. The Regina Police Service will also have some mobile surveillance equipment and personnel assigned during specific times in areas where crowds are most likely to gather before, during and after the Grey Cup Game.
The Regina Police Service has spent 20 months preparing for this week in our City. We anticipate it will be a tremendous success on every level, thanks in large part to the cooperation and support of our partners in security and public safety, the 101st Grey Cup Festival Committee and, of course, the Regina public and visitors to our City.
