Schools to get surveillance

Video surveillance may become a reality in your local schooleven in the washroom.

Developed after two years of consultation, Richmond School Board authorized a policy on the use of video surveillance equipment on school district property and buses Monday.

Trustee Sandra Bourque requested that the word "criminal" in respect to conduct be withdrawn from the policy to allow the district more flexibility in where the cameras were located.

"Many things can threaten students without being criminal in nature," she said. "Some pretty significant bullying can happen in hallways and washrooms, but I wouldn't want that turned into a criminal act. There are behaviors that need to be corrected without them being categorized as being criminal."

In spite of district feedback that surveillance shouldn't happen in private places such as washrooms, Bourque said it may be necessary. She noted fires were set in washrooms in Richmond High.

The B.C. Civil Liberty Association's policy director, Kirk Tousaw, told the board he thought the policy could serve as a model for other districts considering video surveillance, but noted several needed amendments. He suggested the board limit surveillance to outside of the school and outside school hours and not use cameras in washrooms.

"I would suggest it's never appropriate to surveil in washrooms," he said,

Other parties who have not supported the use of video surveillance in school washrooms include the Richmond Teachers' Association.

Association president Al Klassen said in a letter June 24 that video surveillance should not be used in private areas such as washrooms, and that it shouldn't be permitted except as part of a criminal investigation.

Tousaw said any real-time video viewing should be done by authorized people who didn't know the students in order to protect their privacy.

Trustee Andy Hobbs said a ban on washroom cameras was too restrictive. He said the board was trying to balance individual rights with collective rights.

"The bottom line is children deserve to feel safe and secure in their schools and some of them don't."