Doug Ford muses using decommissioned speed cameras to catch crooks

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has made it clear this month that he wants to rid the province of automated speed enforcement cameras, mused on Monday about whether they could be turned to other crime-fighting purposes.

Ford was in Hamilton, Ont., for a press conference when a reporter asked if he foresaw the province giving money to the city to make up for lost revenue from speed cameras and to put into infrastructure.

“Well, what we’re going to do is make sure that we give places like Hamilton the money to build the infrastructure, to actually slow down the traffic,” said Ford. “And we look forward to working with the mayor and her team to tell us where … they want the infrastructure put together.”

Ford then added: “I was asking the mayor about crime as well, because I want to start introducing cameras on crime, if approved by residents.”

He said he has been talking to Andrea Horvath, Hamilton’s mayor, about home invasions and car theft, noting that the city was one of several regions in Ontario that was “getting hammered” by crime.

“So we’re going to be working on that,” he said. “And I’m wondering if we can use those cameras to identify stolen cars as well.”

Ford added that, while speed cameras were on his radar, he did not see red when it came to red-light cameras.

“I have no problem with red light cameras,” he said. “I think they’re essential because they cause serious accidents. Someone’s racing through a red light. But our goal is to continue working with the municipalities, to help them build the infrastructure that is needed.”

Ford did not add whether it would be practical or even possible to repurpose speed cameras for other purposes.

• Doug Ford vs. speed cameras: Why Ontario’s premier is cracking down
• Randall Denley: Championing speeders is an awkward look for law-and-order Doug Ford

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