A Toronto transit advocacy group is worried the new TTC pilot body cam program and use of force policy will target vulnerable people.
The Toronto Transit Commision (TTC) Board announced a pilot program where 20 special constables and 20 fare inspectors will wear body cams as well as a new use-of-force policy to prevent fare evasion incidents.
The TTC plans for 14 special constable vehicles to have in-car cameras as well.
The board’s supplementary report says the TTC’s use of force policy now mirrors the de-escalation policies used by Toronto police, the CBC reports.
Toronto Police Service (TPS) has dedicated over $200 million for body worn cameras and was considered a “major project accomplishment” in 2022, according to their 2023-2032 capital budget.
The TTC has allocated over $1 million to fund body-worn cameras and in-car cameras in their 2023-2032 capital budget.
The TTC will also start implementing a Use of Force policy to establish guidelines for when force is used by special Constables, fare inspectors, and guards during the course of their duties.
In response, transit advocacy group TTCriders believes there could be dangers with allowing force to be used when people don’t pay their fares even if it’s for self-protection.
TTCriders compiled a series of tweets from members of the public raising concerns about the use of body cams during the board meeting.
“Diana Chan McNally says she is concerned that language is not explicit that Use of Force is not acceptable response to fare non-payment. She also raises the fact that the #TTC has no independent, 3rd party accountability mechanism to hold fare enforcement accountable,” one of the tweets say.
“Michelle Cieloszczyk from Toronto Police Accountability Coalition speaks to #TTC Board about concerns with Body Camera policy: Having fare inspectors record all interactions could result in surveillance of vulnerable people, there are concerns with 3rd parties & data management,” another tweet says.
The group also quoted Elton Campbell, who said, “Violence is not the answer. It is not fair to have a Use of Force policy without a policy to monitor and prevent systemic racial discrimination.”
The pilot program is set to begin sometime this quarter.
