Introduction
This webpage is intended to provide information about the video monitoring cameras that are used for safety and security purposes in the City of Vernon under the authority of the City of Vernon’s Video Monitoring Policy.
This webpage is intended to provide information about the video monitoring cameras that are used for safety and security purposes in the City of Vernon under the authority of the City of Vernon’s Video Monitoring Policy.
The Video Monitoring Policy promotes certainty and predictability by creating specific rules around the installation and use of cameras by the City of Vernon, and providing for meaningful oversight of compliance with these rules. This ensures the City complies with its legal obligations to protect privacy when it uses cameras, and aligns the City of Vernon with other Local Governments and Public Institutions that already have policies or guidelines governing camera use.
The Video Monitoring Policy was developed by Senior Managers and reviewed and approved by the Chief Administrative Officer. Many other local governments and public institutions were contacted and their respective policies and procedures were reviewed and discussed in order to determine best practices. The policy and the program was implemented due to ongoing public requests to improve safety and security in certain areas of the City. The location of the video monitoring systems were chosen due to documented incidents of concern to our citizens.
The Video Monitoring Policy promotes certainty and predictability by creating specific rules around the installation and use of cameras by the City of Vernon, and providing for meaningful oversight of compliance with these rules. This ensures the City com.
The guide provided by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) for video monitoring was reviewed and concepts were incorporated into the City’s policy. The City requested the OPIC to provide feedback about whether the proposed Policy is compliant with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The approved policy, combined with existing policies and practices at the City, is consistent with the OIPC’s direction. The City utilized advice provided to other Public Institutions by the OIPC to develop the wording and placement of signage used to notify the community about video monitoring cameras. After reviewing the City’s policy, the OIPC commented that “the policy appears to be comprehensive”.
The policy covers all camera systems that are intended to capture information about identifiable individuals, with the exception of camera systems used exclusively for:
Under the Video Monitoring Policy, Divisions wishing to install video monitoring systems must submit a Privacy Impact Assessment for their camera systems and obtain a review from the Information Services Manager and the FOI Head for the City of Vernon. The Division Director would then review the completed Privacy Impact Assessment and decide to authorize the video monitoring system based on the completed Privacy Impact Assessment which would address compliance to the Policy.
Division staff prepare Privacy Impact Assessment using a common template.
What is the City’s legal authority to collect and use personal information using the cameras?
The City is authorized to collect personal information using this Video Monitoring System under section 26(c) of the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”), i.e. the information relates directly to and is necessary for a program or activity of the City. The City is authorized to use this personal information under section 32(a) of the FIPPA, i.e. for one of the purposes set out in the Video Monitoring Policy, or for a use consistent with one of those purposes.
How do I get more information about the use of a video monitoring system?
General questions about the use of camera systems should be referred to the individual noted on the signage near the video monitoring system, or you may contact the City directly at 250-545-1361 or via email using our contact information on our website.