The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is proud to announce the expanded use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems equipped with automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) technology in public locations in the City of Waterloo to help prevent and investigate crime and enhance public safety.

CCTV and ALPR systems provide officers with an additional tool to support investigations and improve response to incidents. In the event of a crime or major incident, officers may review footage from these systems to gather relevant evidence from the surrounding area. The ALPR technology automatically scans licence plates and can alert officers to vehicles associated with active investigations or those reported as stolen.

Camera locations are determined through data-driven analysis conducted by the WRPS Crime Analysis Unit, focusing on areas with a demonstrated public safety need. A list of camera locations is available on the WRPS website. Additional locations will be added to the website as cameras are installed.

“Our goal is to enhance community safety while respecting the rights and freedoms of the community we serve,” said Chief Mark Crowell. “By using technology like CCTV and ALPR responsibly and transparently, we are providing officers with another valuable tool to help keep our community safe.”

This initiative complements WRPS’s in-car ALPR program, which was introduced in 2022.

This technology has been supported by funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General as part of Ontario’s Guns, Gangs, and Violence Reduction Strategy. The use of CCTV with ALPR aligns with programs implemented by other police services across Ontario.

WRPS is committed to ensuring all technologies are implemented with a strong focus on privacy, accountability, and legal compliance. The collection, use, and disclosure of any information is conducted in accordance with applicable legislation, including the Criminal Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).  Footage is accessed only for legitimate law-enforcement purposes, and any video that is not required for an investigation is automatically deleted after 30 days.

The CCTV and ALPR systems will go live in Waterloo on June 23, 2026. Installation in Kitchener, Cambridge, and the Township of North Dumfries is anticipated to follow.

Click here for more information about CCTV and ALPR systems.