Mayor Proposes $350K for Crime Prevention Tech

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca plans to request that the council allocate $350,000 from its 2026 budget for “crime fighting” technology in response to a summer marked by violent incidents in the York Region city.

This funding would go toward purchasing up to 10 new closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and a system known as gunshot detection technology, according to Del Duca.

Each camera will cost $23,000, totaling $230,000, while the gunshot detection technology will be priced at $120,000. If approved, Vaughan will have a total of 25 CCTV cameras throughout the city.

Del Duca mentioned at a news conference on Tuesday that rising crime is the biggest concern he’s hearing from residents.

The “crime-fighting” CCTV cameras would be monitored and operated by York Regional Police (YRP) and utilize automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) technology to capture licence plate numbers from stolen vehicles.

“These two additional elements, the technology, will go a long way, we believe, to helping to support YRP’s determination to make sure that the criminals who have been victimizing too many of our residents these last number of months are captured and are put behind bars where they belong,” Del Duca said.

The police have already pinpointed six locations for installing the extra CCTV cameras.

Del Duca stated he plans to send a letter later on Tuesday asking Ontario Premier Doug Ford to add ALPR software into existing cameras along Highway 407 as part of crime prevention efforts.

“We know that Highway 407 is a major gateway and getaway opportunity for the criminals that are stealing vehicles in our community,” Del Duca said.

CCTV cameras prove effective, deputy mayor states

Vaughan Deputy Mayor Linda Jackson pointed out that their current CCTV camera program has been successful, particularly along Jane Street near Canada’s Wonderland.

“We’ve had nothing but problems in that corridor for the last number of years. This past year, with the cameras in place, I can’t recall one significant violent incident,” Jackson noted.

Jackson shared data showing that from May of 2024 to May 2025, violent crime decreased by six percent within one kilometer of CCTV installations.

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca says the number one concern he hears from residents is rising crime. (Dale Manucdoc/CBC)

YRP Deputy Chief Paulo Da Silva explained that gunshot detection technology installed in specific areas would help officers know when a gunshot has been fired and alert them without needing a 911 call first.

This tech uses sensors designed to accurately identify an actual gunshot sound.

“So instead of waiting for a 911 call that we know we typically have to wait for, the gunshot detection system allows us to respond that much quicker and we get it immediately versus a third-party calling us in,” Da Silva explained.

In a news release, Del Duca announced he and Jackson will present a joint resolution during council’s committee meeting on October 21st requesting this funding.

If council gives its approval for this request, six of the new CCTV cameras would be set up at these locations identified by police:
Highway 427 and Major Mackenzie Drive. Highway 27 and Highway 7. Weston Road and Rutherford Road. Weston Road and Major Mackenzie Drive. Keele Street and Highway 7. Bathurst Street and Highway 7.

In statements made on Tuesday by Hannah Jensen from the premier’s office: ”Our government will continue to take bold action to ensure our municipalities and world-class police services have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”

“As Premier Ford said just over a week ago, this includes looking at expanding programs like CCTV or collaborating with them on repurposing existing infrastructure aimed at tackling violent crimes such as car thefts and home invasions.”

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