July 22,2025
RED FM News Desk
A new pilot program in Vancouver is introducing body-worn cameras for parking enforcement officers in an effort to reduce aggressive behavior, similar to those used by police.
The city reports a growing number of incidents involving “verbal abuse and violence” against parking officers, with assaults averaging one every two weeks last year.
“Although most interactions with the public are respectful, we’re seeing an increase in both the frequency and severity of hostility toward our parking officers,” said Jimmy Zammar, Vancouver’s Deputy General Manager of Engineering Services. “This pilot program reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety of our staff as they serve the public.”
The city cited several examples of such confrontations, including one case where a parking officer was slapped after issuing a ticket, and another where an officer was punched in the jaw by a taxi driver for enforcing a no-stopping zone. Verbal abuse is also common, often involving yelling and racist remarks, officials noted.
Beginning in August, 15 parking officers will wear Axon Body 4 cameras—the same model used by police—as part of the six-month trial. The city clarified that the cameras are not intended for enforcing parking regulations. Officers will activate recording only if they feel their personal safety is in jeopardy.
Officers are expected to notify individuals when recording begins, unless it is unsafe or impractical to do so. Videos that do not involve assaults or criminal activity will be deleted within five days. Footage related to incidents requiring further investigation will be handed over to Vancouver police.
As part of the trial, the city will compare incident rates between officers wearing cameras and those without, to assess whether the devices effectively deter aggression. If successful, the program may be expanded.
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