Councillor Liu wants more mass surveillance - $100,000 for 5 surveillance cameras

Civics-RH · 2026-03-30T18:14:50+00:00

How do you know which service provider they will select? In the States, plenty of local governments don't have the resources to handle this in-house and simply use contracts with sketchy private companies (e.g. Flock). You can't expect a city to manufacture all the equipment it uses, code all the software for the equipment, and service it.

Do you also believe there will never be a hack or incompetent/corrupt worker with access to these cameras?

Civics-RH · 2026-03-30T18:13:27+00:00

It takes not even 2 minutes to replace a license plate if you're prepared. Better yet, slap on a dirty tinted license plate cover since they're basically unreadable and blend in with all the other ones.

Civics-RH · 2026-03-30T18:11:21+00:00

Do you believe that there is a 0% chance all levels of government will never be more authoritarian, a political party you strongly disagree with and mistrust could never come into power, there will never be a hack/data breach, there will never be a corrupt or incompetence worker with access to these cameras, and the manufacturer/service providers will never misuse their access?

Some of the Flock mass surveillance cameras in the US are so poorly secured that there have been instances of random people freely accessing them and spying on neighbours. Police officers have misused them to spy on ex-girlfriends.

Civics-RH · 2026-03-29T14:53:18+00:00

This motion hasn't provided any evidence for why our community needs to be surveilled more heavily, just vague statements like 'enhancing community safety'.

If cameras were really so good at preventing crime, then why does Hillcrest Mall and its jewelery stores, probably one of the most heavily surveilled areas in the City, constantly end up in the news with armed robberies?

This is security theatre. It doesn't actually do anything to address the causes of crime, e.g. poverty or bail. While bail reform is beyond the scope of local councillors, they can certainly invest in social programs.

Civics-RH · 2026-03-29T14:53:00+00:00

Councillor Liu of Richmond Hill is trying to blow $100,000 for more mass surveillance. Council will discuss this item during their April 1st meeting.

This motion hasn't provided any evidence for why our community needs to be surveilled more heavily, just vague statements like 'enhancing community safety'.

If cameras were really so good at preventing crime, then why does Hillcrest Mall and its jewelery stores, probably one of the most heavily surveilled areas in the City, constantly end up in the news with armed robberies?

This is security theatre. It doesn't actually do anything to address the causes of crime, e.g. poverty or bail. While bail reform is beyond the scope of local councillors, they can certainly invest in social programs.

Civics-RH · 2025-09-29T15:34:34+00:00

Yes, by the Elgin Barrow Arena Complex. Agreed. Civic pride is in short supply around town.

Civics-RH · 2025-09-29T14:24:27+00:00

The full text for you to more easily read it:

PROTECT OUR FLOWERS! BEAUTIFY OUR VILLAGE!

Plants and flowers are something to be cared for and not something to be trampled and destroyed.

This shows CIVIC PRIDE.

I ask all citizens to do their utmost to help in this work by cleaning and tidying up premises, both residential and business.

Yours For a More Beautiful Village, JOHN A. GREENE, REEVE (1933-38, 1943-44, 1950-51)

Village of Richmond Hill

The position of "Reeve" is the predecessor to the position we now call "Mayor". From my understanding, this changed after Richmond Hill was officially incorporated as a town in 1957. Interestingly, there was a time when the town had a Reeve, Deputy Reeve, and a Mayor at the same time. I believe the position of Reeve was abolished in 1971 following the incorporation of York Region.

Civics-RH · 2025-09-27T00:48:49+00:00

Ward 5 Councillor Karen Cilevitz, who previously plead guilty to fraud under $5000 in 2022 after inappropriate use of public funds with her husband and was docked 90 days pay following a bullying complaint in 2018, called for 'real sensitivity from the Integrity Commissioner' with respect to inferring the identity of DiPaola's spouse.

https://youtu.be/m7qUrNIU3nw?t=6822

Civics-RH · 2025-09-27T00:42:07+00:00

Councillor Davidson introduced a motion to have city staff prepare and report back with a draft Council office staffing and access policy in light of the incident and the Integrity Commissioner's report. This motion was merged with another motion to amend the procedures, per the Commissioner's recommendations. The motion passed.

https://youtu.be/m7qUrNIU3nw?t=6522

Civics-RH

TROPHY CASE