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 the Beacon Community Network, 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
Organization: Beacon Community Network
Effective Date: February 1, 2026
Policy Owner: Operations Manager
- Introduction & Authority
In alignment with our Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Plan, The Beacon Community Network operates a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system in select public areas. This system is used to enhance public safety, deter criminal activity, and protect assets.
The collection of personal information via video surveillance is conducted under the authority of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56, s. 28(2).
- Scope of Surveillance
Surveillance is limited to external public-facing spaces including public streets, parks and spaces..
- Public Areas: City streets, business districts, public parks and community spaces.
- Privacy Protections: Cameras are positioned to avoid capturing the interior of private residences. Where a camera’s field of view unavoidably includes private property, digital privacy masking (blurring) is applied.
- No Audio: This system records video only. Audio recording is strictly prohibited.
- Use of Recorded Information
Information collected through the CCTV network will be used exclusively for:
- Monitoring safety in public spaces.
- Assisting law enforcement in the investigation of specific criminal incidents.
- Assisting social services with community outreach.
Information will not be used for general tracking of individuals, monitoring lawful protests, or identifying people based on protected characteristics (e.g., race, religion, or gender).
- Retention and Security
We take the security of your data seriously.
- Retention: Recordings are kept for a maximum of 30 days. If no incident is reported within that time, the data is automatically and permanently overwritten.
- Storage: Data is stored on secure, encrypted Network Adjacent Storage (NAS) devices and cloud storage provided by Solink Corp. in Canada.
- Access: Only authorized security personnel with a “need to know” can view footage. Every instance of access is logged and audited.
- Disclosure to Third Parties
Footage will only be disclosed to third parties (such as the Ontario Provincial Police or local Police Services) in the following circumstances:
- To assist in a specific law enforcement investigation.
- In response to a court order or subpoena.
- In an emergency where the health or safety of an individual is at immediate risk.
- Your Rights: Access and Correction
You have the right to request access to your own personal information, including CCTV footage where you are identifiable.
- To make a Subject Access Request (SAR) please contact the Operations Manager.
- Please note that we may redact the faces of other individuals in the footage to protect their privacy before releasing it to you.
- Contact Information
For questions regarding this policy or the operation of the CCTV system, please contact our Operations Manager:
Rod Bilz/Operations Manager | [email protected] | 705-493-7403
Implementation Checklist for Ontario CSWB Plans:
- Signage: Ensure signs are posted before someone enters the camera’s range.
- Audit Trail: Keep a logbook of every time a video is viewed, including the date, time, and reason.
IPC Review: The IPC of Ontario recommends that institutions notify them of new surveillance programs—it’s a “best practice” that builds public trust.
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 is 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 The Beacon Community Network team and find the right fit for your community.