Some Sobeys Inc. grocery stores in Toronto are now testing body-worn cameras. The company confirmed this trial initiative after the cameras were seen on FreshCo employees at a store on Sherbourne and Isabella streets. According to Sobeys spokesperson Caitlin Gray, the purpose of these cameras is to address harassment and assaults towards employees, as well as to deter shoplifting and other criminal activities.
However, James Turk, from the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, expressed concerns that the body-worn cameras could make employees more vulnerable rather than safer. He suggested that potential thieves might target employees wearing the cameras to take them. Sobeys reported a decrease in violence and aggression towards both employees and customers since implementing the cameras in select locations. Gray mentioned that the bodycams only record when activated during incidents by store managers and are not used for continuous monitoring of employees.
While Loblaw Companies Ltd. also confirmed running a bodycam pilot in some stores for the past two years, Turk remains skeptical about the safety of employees wearing the cameras. Privacy experts have raised concerns regarding the potential collection of excessive information by body-worn cameras. The public should be informed about the use of these cameras, including the retention period of footage.
Rui Rodrigues, the executive advisor for loss prevention and risk management at the Retail Council of Canada, supports the use of bodycams in retail spaces due to the increasing incidents of theft and violence. Retailers have experienced heightened losses and violent episodes in recent years. Rodrigues emphasized that the visibility of bodycams acts as a deterrent to criminals.
In response to claims that fixed surveillance cameras could suffice, Rodrigues highlighted the unique perspective and detailed images that bodycams can capture during incidents, especially when criminals try to conceal their identities. He advised employees who feel uncomfortable wearing body cameras to discuss their concerns with their employer or seek support from union representatives or the Ministry of Labour if needed.