More cameras for Toronto

A couple posts ago I mentioned Middlesbrough’s CCTV system. CCTV is gaining popularity in Toronto, too. 680 News reported today that Toronto police will roll out 18-20 new cameras, “starting in the Jane and Finch area and northeast Scarborough“.

Daily Mail: Big brother is not only watching you - now he is barkinging orders too

According to an article in the Daily Mail, the Closed Circuit TV in Middlesbrough now features a number of loudspeakers, so control room operators can publicly berate bad behaviour and shame offenders into acting more responsibly. 

‘This isn’t about keeping tabs on people, it’s about making the streets safer for the law-abiding majority and helping to change the attitudes of those who cause trouble. It challenges unacceptable behaviour and makes people think twice.’

Ray Bonner, manager of CCTV at the City of Middlesbrough, in Daily Mail, September 16, 2006

Not sure if the clocks are striking thirteen yet (some would probably argue they already did when CCTV was introduced). It’s a debatable innovation and use of security technology but in today’s world, it’s hardly surprising. Let’s see if more cities in the UK will adopt this idea.

Canada’s Top 300 Technology Companies according to Branham

The Branham Group announced their annual listing of the top 300 Canadian technology companies. Not a lot of suprises in 2006 but it provides a good overview of the Canadian market. Categories include:

• Top 25 Multinationals
• Top 20 Movers and Shakers
• Top 25 Up and Comers
• Top 25 Canadian Software Companies
• Top 25 Canadian IT Professional Services Companies
• Top 10 Canadian IT Security Companies
• Top 10 Canadian xSPCompanies
• Top 10 Canadian Wireless Solution Providers
• Top 25 ICT Hardware and Infrastructure Companies