1: Toronto police want to keep most G20 security cameras

“Toronto’s Police Chief Bill Blair wants to keep some of the equipment bought expressly for the G20 Summit, particularly security cameras and so-called long range acoustic devices.

“We have some requirement for CCTV cameras in certain neighbourhoods that are experiencing some violence and difficulty,” Blair said Monday outside a Toronto Police Services Board meeting.

The police acquired 77 new cameras for use downtown for the June 26-27 G20 Summit in the downtown core. The cameras had to come down after the summit.

The cameras had to come down after the summit.

At the January Police Services Board meeting, Blair will formally ask to keep the cameras. Because they were purchased for the G20, they will only cost half the usual price. The federal government will pay the rest, CTV Toronto reported.

The cost to the service would be $90,000″

For more information please see: G8/G20 Communiqué: After the G20 Summit — the CCTV cameras and the LRAD sound cannons

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2: Toronto G20 police tab 39% under budget 

“Toronto’s “worst-case scenario” $124 million G20 police price tag has been greatly reduced.

Chief Bill Blair told the Toronto Police Services Board on Monday the final figure will be about $76 million — 38.7 per cent less than originally stated.

Public Safety Canada will get the bill in January when the chief’s report is finalized and the police service and city will be reimbursed for the costs.”

Krystalline Kraus

krystalline kraus is an intrepid explorer and reporter from Toronto, Canada. A veteran activist and journalist for rabble.ca, she needs no aviator goggles, gas mask or red cape but proceeds fearlessly...