A London councillor is renewing his campaign to have security cameras added to streets in Old East Village. Security cameras are still the solution to Old East’s problems, its local councillor says. And Stephen Orser, who represents Ward 4, says he has proof that electronic eyes bring results.

This week, a $200 fine was slapped on a defendant at the London courthouse after the admitted dumping of garbage in Old East. It follows another successful result two weeks ago, when a different offender pleaded guilty and was fined $350. Both criminal cases follow dumping problems in the parking lot between Dundas Street and Queens Avenue.

It’s that much-discussed area between Adelaide and Rectory that’s the focus of complaints about anti-social behaviour, drugs, and other crime. In each cases, the offender was caught on camera. A public appeal was put out via news media and social media, and the people ditching their garbage in the city parking lot found themselves in court.

“The surveillance cameras that staff have put up are working,” said Orser. “Two convictions are evidence of that. “With that being said, the ongoing dumping problem is going to come to an end in wider streets. The free ride is over in Old East Village.”

Orser’s involved in the Old East Neighbourhood Safety Task Force, which has more than 50 members with connections to the area. They’re discussing ways to make lives better in the village and having a series of meetings during the first half of the year. […]