Licence plate detecting cameras to be installed on highways in Waterloo region

Highway cameras equipped with licence plate recognition software are set to be installed in Waterloo region, Ontario, as police aim to combat cross-regional crime. The force believes the area is impacted by organized crime that extends beyond its borders, with offenders entering the region to target residents and businesses. In collaboration with the province's transport ministry, Waterloo police plan to deploy these cameras on highways, calling it a significant public safety initiative in the face of increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

Police Chief Mark Crowell emphasized the importance of responsible technology use in addressing serious illegal activities, stating that the Waterloo Regional Police Service is proud to be a provincial leader in this regard.

The partnership between police and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario ensures that privacy standards are maintained, with footage from the cameras automatically deleted after 30 days if not needed for investigation purposes. The specific number and locations of the cameras have yet to be finalized. Waterloo police have already utilized licence plate recognition systems in their cruisers, resulting in the recovery of 75 stolen vehicles, 94 arrests, and 77 charges in 2026 alone.

Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, highlighted the government's commitment to protecting the province by employing every available tool to tackle criminals threatening community safety and security.