ONE year after installing CCTV cameras the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is reporting the cameras have become an important investigative tool in solving violent crime, identifying dangerous offenders, and protecting vulnerable victims who are often unable or unwilling to come forward to police.
“These camera systems are important because vulnerable individuals who may be scared of reprisals and reluctant to talk to police are frequently targeted by violent criminals in the DTES. From 2024 to 2026, an average of 63% of victims of serious violent assaults in the area refused to cooperate with police investigating the crimes committed against them,” said Sgt. Adam Donaldson, adding that in 2025, 27% of all violent crime across Vancouver was in the DTES.
“When we are able to review video evidence, our investigators are better able to locate and arrest suspects, take very dangerous individuals off the streets and solve crimes.”
A total of eight cameras were installed at Main and Hastings and Carrall and Hastings in June 2025. When a crime or incident is reported that falls within the camera fields of view, VPD can preserve, or “bookmark”, and review recorded footage as part of their investigation. Camera footage is kept for four days unless it is accessed by police for investigative purposes.
During the first year of operation, police bookmarked footage from 55 investigations – an average of about five incidents each month – including six homicides (one outside the DTES), 15 stabbings, random assaults, and traffic fatalities.
In instances where the cameras may not have captured the actual offence being committed, investigators have used the preserved video evidence on suspects’ direction of travel, images of the suspect used for identification posters and media releases, and information about suspect and victim activities before and after an offence.
The system operates in accordance with BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, including collection and use provisions under sections 26(b) and 27(1)(c)(iv).
Examples of use include:
- VPD arrested a woman who randomly assaulted another woman on her way to work in view of cameras. The suspect description was sent out to patrol officers who located and arrested her within hours.
- Suspect movements before and after a fatal assault in Gastown were recorded at Hastings and Carrall and proved instrumental in identifying the individual believed responsible.
- Cameras were critical in providing police vehicle details and to reach out to the public for information in relation to a fatal hit and run.
- Police were able to track down and inform a dump-truck driver they had unknowingly driven over and seriously injured a jaywalking pedestrian trying to cross East Hastings between the truck and its trailer.
- Cameras at Main and Hastings recorded when a man was hit in the head with a sledgehammer in a vicious assault. Witnesses and the victim refused to cooperate, but the video provided avenues of investigation to look for suspects.
In addition to assisting investigations, VPD is reporting that violent crime declined at the monitored intersections during the first year of camera operation. Compared with surrounding intersections, violent crime was approximately 10 percent lower where the CCTV cameras were installed.
“After one year, the VPD’s review of CCTV in these intersections has shown that the use of public cameras combined with strong police presence and rapid response capability has assisted in solving challenging investigations and contributed to a reduction in violent crime in the immediate area. The locations these cameras are installed routinely see the most violent crimes committed in the city of Vancouver. The VPD’s mission is to protect public safety, and these cameras have proven to be an effective tool in achieving that goal,” said Donaldson.
For more information and FAQs about the camera systems, go here.
