Penticton expands downtown camera network amid safety gains

Penticton’s downtown camera program is being credited with improving public safety as officials prepare to expand surveillance coverage across key city corridors.

The Remote Guard Camera Program, presented to Penticton council, is operated by the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce with city funding support and currently includes 30 cameras across 22 locations throughout Penticton. The system runs up to 24 hours a day and is monitored remotely by a private security provider at select sites, with footage only accessed by RCMP during active investigations.

In Penticton, the program recorded 233 incidents in the first quarter of 2026, most involving loitering, along with smaller numbers of vandalism, trespassing and fire-related activity, resulting in 59 RCMP callouts. Officials also pointed to a neighbourhood watch partnership near Compass Court that has helped reduce police demand for lower-level complaints.

Penticton officials said additional cameras are planned for the industrial district, Main Street and Lakeshore Avenue as the city continues to prioritize proactive safety measures.