Regional council to debate camera surveillance in Halifax area

The question of camera surveillance in the Halifax area will bedebated at regional councilon Tuesday.

Dartmouth councillorTony Mancini wants a staff report on the best general locationsfor cameras, as well as a specific pilot project for a footpath in north-end Dartmouth.

The footpath between Farrelland Albro Lake roads is where 18-year-old Chelsie Probert was found injured. She was taken to hospital where she later died.

Mancini admits cameras may not have prevented her death, but he adds they could have helped with the investigation and may help ease concerns in the neighbourhood.

"Part of it is peace of mind for that community," said Mancini."They'd be seeing something new, seeing us use a different tool."

2 violent incidents within a few weeks

With another murder and a separate stabbing incident in otherparts of Dartmouth, Mancini acknowledges getting to the rootcauses of violent crime will take more than just installingcameras.

Last week he told CBC News more jobs, affordable housing, food security and more safe placesfor youth to go could have an impact in creating safer communities.

According to Mancini,even changes to transit routes can improvethe safety of a neighbourhood and he plans to contacttransitofficials.

Police have already stepped up patrols along the footpath and a second safety audit is underway.One was done last year.

The municipality was already in discussions with Nova ScotiaPower before Probert's murderto revamp Farrell Park wherethe footpath is located. Nova Scotia Power owns the property.

Changes couldinclude the installation of benches, increased lighting, someshrub trimming and the removalof some fencing.

• Councillor calls for cameras, lighting in park where Chelsie Probert was found
• Volunteers help police search for clues in homicide of Chelsie Probert, 18