Your Data, Protected with Purpose
We are committed to the privacy and security of Canadian communities
How we support communities
Your Privacy is Important to Us
At Building Blocks, we believe that safer, more vibrant communities are possible when care, collaboration, and innovation come together. Through our work—including the Beacon safety initiative—we help municipalities, local businesses, nonprofits, and service organizations strengthen their impact where it matters most.
Beacon is built on trust. We ensure strict data privacy protocols, secure access management, and responsible data use at every step. Cameras in the Beacon network are governed by agreements that prioritize transparency and consent.
We do not sell or share footage with third parties and only use data for community safety and reporting purposes.
Privacy Policy
POLICY TITLE:
Camera Privacy Policy
POLICY #: BEA001
APPROVAL DATE: January 1,2025
PREPARED BY: Director of Operations
Administrative Policy and Procedural Manual
CATEGORY: Privacy
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 23, 2025
SUPERCEDED POLICY(S):
N/A
Introduction
The Building Blocks BEACON Program is a private-sector safety and security solution. Building Blocks was
established as a for-profit corporation with a vision of a world-class downtown waterfront and prosperity
for all. The BEACON Program provides proactive safety and security in North Bay’s downtown waterfront
area. The triage for any incident that Building Blocks responds to will include Coordinated Access Nipissing
access points for non-enforcement responses.
The Building Blocks BEACON Program may also assist and inform the city, emergency services, and public
transit of potential serious or emergency events as well as reports of other crime related. Camera footage is
substantially intended to improve the health, wellbeing, and safety of the downtown waterfront community.
In the same spirit, BEACON may also aid other agencies.
Code of Practice Statement
Building Blocks owns, installs, and operates the Building Blocks BEACON Program within the identified
location areas in collaboration with partner businesses and organizations with access to the camera
images through a centralized operations point. The Building Blocks BEACON Program QNAP storage
devices are owned and operated by Building Blocks and integrated within existing camera networks of
partner businesses or organizations. Camera feeds are locally stored on QNAP storage devices with
customizable alerts and notifications.
It is the practice of the Building Blocks to utilize the Building Blocks BEACON Program for the safety, health,
and wellbeing of the North Bay downtown waterfront community. The Building Blocks BEACON Program
collects anonymous information on a transitory basis and does not store identifiable personal information
or identifiable vehicle data.
It is not Building Block’s intent to collect personal information through the monitoring of the North Bay
downtown waterfront streets, sidewalks, or public space network. However, in a circumstance where
collection of personal information does occur, such information will only be used or disclosed in accordance
with this policy.
As a corporation, collection, use, and disclosure of personal information is not typically subject to the Office
of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario’s Guidelines for the Use of Video Surveillance. This
guideline informs public institutions of their key obligations under the Municipal Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act, and its provincial counterpart, FIPPA. However, as a community organization
responsible to the community it serves, Building Blocks will comply with the Office of the Privacy
Commissioner of Canada’s Guidelines for Overt Video Surveillance in the Private Sector.
Building Blocks Privacy Principles
Building Blocks values privacy and confidentiality as part of its efforts to promote dignity to all. Every person, no matter their position, status, or vulnerability, should be treated in a way that preserves and enhances – rather than undermines – their dignity and self- respect. Privacy and confidentiality are crucial
elements of the work undertaken by the Building Blocks and the relationship-building efforts that support
these efforts.
- Where circumstances present, collection of personal information will:
- Have a clear purpose;
- Consist of only the minimum amount necessary;
- Be direct, informed, and done with consent whenever possible.
- Internal use will:
- Have an Authorized Purpose (the purpose for which it was collected; or, where necessary,
to protect the mental/physical health or the safety of any individual or group of individuals;
for the purpose of determining or verifying an individual’s suitability or eligibility for a
program, service or benefit; or law enforcement/crime prevention); - Involve the minimum amount of information necessary; and
- Be limited to those that need that information to do their authorized work.
- Have an Authorized Purpose (the purpose for which it was collected; or, where necessary,
- External use will:
- Have an authorized purpose (the purpose for which it was collected, or health and
safety of individual, or law enforcement/crime prevention); - Involve the minimum amount of information necessary; and
- Be limited to those that need that information to do their authorized work.
- Have an authorized purpose (the purpose for which it was collected, or health and
- Storage – Security safeguards are implemented which are consistent with the sensitivity of
information involved. Safeguards will include appropriate:- Technical Safeguards;
- Administrative Safeguards; and
- Physical Safeguards.
- Retention of personal information is clear and limited.
- Written retention policies are developed for personal information collected, acquired, and
used; and - Retention of personal information are limited to the minimum amount of time
necessary for the authorized purposes for which it was collected.
- Written retention policies are developed for personal information collected, acquired, and
- Access to Personal Information
- Access to personal information is limited according to the principle of least privilege; and
- Access to personal information is regularly audited/reviewed
- Accountability
- The Operations Team is appointed to ensure adherence to privacy principles and/or
privacy policy.
- The Operations Team is appointed to ensure adherence to privacy principles and/or
Frequently Asked Questions
Beacon is a community-integrated safety network—a proactive video monitoring
and data-sharing program designed to increase safety, encourage collaboration, and
revitalize urban environments. It is powered by Solink technology and delivered by
Building Blocks, a mission-driven organization rooted in community betterment.
Beacon creates a hyper-local safety network by connecting business and public cameras into a unified system that empowers real-time awareness and community-triggered alerts. It turns existing surveillance infrastructure into a shared civic asset—supporting safer streets, smarter coordination, and stronger relationships between businesses, residents, and city services. With transparent reporting and actionable data, Beacon drives both safety and revitalization efforts, making it easier for communities to respond proactively and work together effectively.
Beacon serves a wide range of community stakeholders, including Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), shelters, nonprofits, senior facilities, parks and recreation departments, and local associations such as tourism and hospitality organizations. It also provides vital support to First Nations communities, municipalities, and civic stakeholders like police, EMS, and fire services. By focusing on collaboration and shared safety goals, Beacon helps both public and private sectors—and the residents they serve—build safer, more connected urban environments.
Joining the Beacon program brings a range of powerful benefits to communities and organizations. It builds public trust by enhancing the visible sense of safety in shared spaces and helps prevent incidents before they escalate through real-time, proactive monitoring. Beacon also fosters collaboration across sectors—connecting businesses, service providers, and municipal partners for coordinated responses. By replacing fragmented safety systems with a shared, scalable infrastructure, Beacon reduces duplication and delivers actionable insights that guide smarter decisions and resource allocation. Most importantly, it amplifies community impact while lowering costs through a unified, efficient approach to public safety.
Now more than ever, communities face growing public safety challenges—especially in downtown cores, shared spaces, and service-heavy areas. Traditional camera systems are often siloed and reactive, offering limited impact without broader coordination. Beacon fills that gap by delivering a unified, proactive safety solution that brings stakeholders together through shared infrastructure, real-time data, and collaborative response. It’s more than just a force multiplier—it’s a smarter, scalable system designed to do more with less. In a time when municipal budgets are stretched and expectations for safety are rising, Beacon offers the coordination, coverage, and community care today’s environments demand.
We offer different pricing tiers for the Beacon program based on your area and specific needs. Contact us to connect with a member of the Building Blocks team and find the right fit for your community.