In light of the recent string of break-ins, with at least seven in Westlock last week alone, it has been suggested on many fronts that the town implementing additional security patrols or even surveillance cameras downtown would be an appropriate solution to this ongoing problem.
On the surface, these suggestions seem like no-brainers. There’s a security problem and people are getting more and more frustrated.
It’s understandable that they’re frustrated: having your business broken into is as much a violation as having your home broken into.
Certainly the increased security, whether it’s in the form of a private company doing nightly patrols or installing cameras, would have an effect on dissuading the would-be thieves from breaking into these businesses.
The question is, who is responsible for bearing the costs of these measures?
Should it really be the town paying for this with tax dollars, when it’s but a fraction of residents who are affected by the businesses and an even smaller fraction of residents — if any at all — who are responsible for the crimes?
Both sides of this argument have merit.
On the one hand, Westlock’s downtown area is a benefit to all residents, and goes a long way to drawing people into town from the surrounding areas. Additional security would undoubtedly make the area at least a little bit safer, and making the area a little bit safer will help to encourage more businesses to move into the area.
On the other hand, there’s every possibility that the town will spend a bunch of money to hire security or install cameras, and a week later there will be more break-ins.
Not to mention the concerns about a citizen’s right to privacy. Many would be rightfully concerned about having their face on security footage, simply because they decided to go shopping.
Whatever decision gets made, it should not be taken lightly. This is an issue that affects every single resident of the town and many from the surrounding area, as well.
Town council should endeavour to hear from all stakeholders and gather as much information as possible, lest a decision is made as a knee-jerk reaction — if cameras go up, make no mistake: they’ll be here to stay.
