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CCTV & Voyeurism.....

........There’s a fine line between these two words.  Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou Housing Complex claim the surveillance cameras are for tenant security and protection and I have to ask “from what?”  Surveillance means monitoring the behavior of others usually for the purpose of influencing, managing, controlling or protecting, surveillance is therefore an ambiguous practice, sometimes creating positive effects, at other times negative.  As long as I've been a tenant in this building I've never heard of a break and enter or a tenant being physically attacked or robbed.  IMO Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou staff use it to spy and to keep tabs on the tenants and their guests then write up petty reports on any minor infraction, they actually have a person on the payroll who watch the monitors which is a waste of time, this activity is not illegal but it is sleazy & creepy.  Being one of the first employees to work at ADT Security Systems automated station in Toronto I know a lot about building security and CCTV.  I’m at ease with cameras…what I’m concerned about is how they are used. 
This building has 24 units and with the staff that makes about 30 individuals in the building during the day.  That's not much traffic that it requires two cameras on 3 floors, 1 at the main floor elevator and more around the building perimeter and an alarm system for the office and community room. Mind you I'm aware the alarm system is for insurance reasons and there is a fire annunciator panel at the entrance which is probably linked to a monitoring station, like I said I know the business.
Urban Native Homes Inc. try to remember Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou Housing Complex is a residence for older Natives, it is not a jail for criminals or a half-way house for parolees.  Mind you, the way things are around here lately it could pass for a Loony Bin. 



Comments

Tony King said…
It's been almost two years since I wrote this blog and more cameras have been installed @ KMHC. I have a suggestion instead of wasting money on cameras why not install a electric chain linked fence around the building perimeter complete with razer wire and have a heavy armed guard posted at the entrance who will shoot first and ask questions later. :P Readers ask yourself is KMHC a residence or detention complex. I'm firmly convinced CCTV surveillance in the KMHC is to monitor the tenants as they go about their peaceful daily lives. It's annoying to say the least. Oh did I mention they also have an active motion detector in the laundry room. :P
February 15, 2014 at 3:09:00 PM EST
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