Date: Thursday, June 23, 2022

File: 22-22635

Victoria, BC – CCTV cameras have been deployed and roads will be closed from Vic West along the Inner Harbour into James Bay as Victoria celebrates this year’s Pride Parade Sunday.

As with previous years and events this year, we have deployed CCTV cameras in support of our operations to ensure public safety during the Pride Parade. This CCTV deployment is in keeping with provincial and federal privacy law. The cameras will be deactivated, but will remain in place until Canada Day festivities come to a close. Temporary signs are posted in the area to ensure that those in the area are aware.

The temporary, monitored CCTV cameras help us keep those participating in the Pride Parade safe by assisting our efforts to control traffic and keep the parade route clear and also by allowing us to respond to any potential public safety incidents in a timely manner. The cameras are not recorded by default and no information is being collected during the event unless a criminal investigation or public safety incident occurs. Given recent incidents targeting public gatherings around the world and recent investigations locally into phone calls targeting a drag event in Victoria, both the use of these cameras and officers’ attendance are part of our duty to ensure that everyone can celebrate a safe, happy and joyful event.

This year’s Pride Parade features a new route that extends from the local traffic only marshalling area at Esquimalt and Kimta roads to full closures along Esquimalt Road across the Johnson Street Bridge, along Wharf Street to Belleville Street, to Menzies Street to Superior Street and then down Oswego Street to MacDonald Park. The road closures start just before 10 a.m. and are expected to last until just before noon. Please follow our VicPDCanada Twitter account for the most up-to-date traffic information, which will include road closures and traffic disruptions. Officers will work to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about our temporary CCTV camera deployment, please email [email protected].

 

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