York Regional Police (YRP) plan to expand their use of surveillance technology by seeking access to closed-circuit cameras owned by municipalities and major commercial landlords, including large shopping malls, as part of an effort to more effectively track stolen vehicles and other suspects.
The service is more than doubling its network of CCTV cameras with support from the Ontario government and the City of Vaughan. YRP initially deployed 16 passive surveillance cameras at intersections last year, with footage automatically deleted after 72 hours if not required for an investigation. But following a surge in smash-and-grab robberies, home invasions and high-profile violent incidents, police are installing 21 additional cameras equipped with automatic licence-plate recognition (ALPR) technology.
The City of Vaughan, citing recent serious crimes such as the Aug. 31 killing of Abdul Aleem Farooqi, is independently funding up to 10 additional camera sites from its municipal budget.
During a budget presentation to regional council, Chief Jim MacSween said he was encouraged by the possibility of adding cameras from Canada’s Wonderland and major shopping centres — including Upper Canada Mall, Markville Mall and Hillcrest Mall — along with municipal properties and other large commercial sites.
These privately owned and municipal cameras, if integrated, would be ALPR-enabled and activated during real-time police responses, giving officers the ability to view live feeds in pursuit of stolen vehicles or suspects, MacSween said.
“We need to continue to leverage technology that keeps citizens safe,” he told regional councillors.
YRP spent approximately $600,000 to install the 21 new cameras, supported by a $255,000 provincial grant. Police say stolen vehicles are frequently used in home invasions, robberies and other crimes, making early detection critical. ALPR technology automatically flags licence plates listed in provincial stolen-vehicle databases.
The original 16 cameras are already ALPR-equipped, and the new 21 sites are expected to be operational before the end of the year, YRP spokesperson Const. James Dickson said. Vaughan’s additional cameras, which will also include gunshot-detection sensors, are expected to be installed in early 2026.
Dickson said discussions are underway with mall operators, but police do not yet have access to any third-party camera systems.
Oxford Properties, which owns Upper Canada Mall and Hillcrest Mall, said it maintains close cooperation with police but has no updates on any specific integration initiatives.
“As always, we continually explore ways to enhance security at our properties,” spokesperson Josh Burleton said.
