Thunder Bay is giving the go ahead to install 31 new security cameras across the city.

The project is through ‘Eye on the Street’, a safety initiative in conjunction with the Thunder Bay police to monitor suspicious or criminal activity.

Manager of the project, Matthew Pearson, said this can also be used as a data collection tool, and wants to expand their range to services outside of the Thunder Bay police.

“The benefit to the expanded locations is that it allows us evidence gathering tools throughout further areas in the city, so we have greater opportunity to gather evidence that helps us in our investigations,” said Pearson. “There is also, of course, the public safety impact.”

A successful funding application will place about 12 to 16 of the cameras for now. Additional approved locations will be considered in the future.

The project has been included in the city’s budget and they will begin placing the cameras throughout the year.