Toronto to add photo surveillance to public transit vehicles

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We never thought adding an absurd amount of surveillance cameras to a city (or its public transportation system) would become fashionable, but it seems like Toronto is the next big locale ready to hop on the Big Brother bandwagon. Reportedly, plans are already underway to “ensure every person using Toronto’s transit system will be photographed as of next June,” which means that some 12,000 cameras will have to be installed on “every [Toronto Transit Commission] bus, streetcar, subway car and at each station.” Of course, it’s noted that the images acquired will only be used as “crime-busting tools,” and the entire system is expected to cost a cool $18 million. Good news for employees / police stationed at the transit system’s command center, though — you’ll be able to “view live video or hear audio from any of the security cameras installed on subway cars.” Now that’s quality entertainment.