Some grocery stores under the ownership of Sobeys Inc. in Toronto have commenced testing body-worn cameras. The retailer acknowledged the trial following the observation of bodycams on FreshCo staff at a store situated on Sherbourne and Isabella streets.
These cameras are being utilized to address harassment and assaults against employees, as well as to deter shoplifting and other criminal activities, as stated by Sobeys spokesperson Caitlin Gray. However, James Turk, the director of the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, expressed concerns that the cameras could potentially make employees more susceptible to harm rather than enhancing their safety.
Sobeys reported a notable reduction in violence and aggression towards both employees and customers since the introduction of the cameras at selected locations, according to Gray. The retailer clarified that the bodycams only record when activated by store managers during an incident and are not used for continuous monitoring of employees.
The exact commencement date of the pilot project has not been disclosed by Sobeys yet. This initiative aligns with a broader trend, with Loblaw Companies Ltd. confirming their own bodycam pilot program in certain stores over the past two years.
Despite the support for bodycams from Rui Rodrigues, the executive advisor for loss prevention and risk management at the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), Turk remains apprehensive about the risks posed to employees wearing them. Rodrigues highlighted the escalating thefts and violent incidents in retail spaces, advocating for more visible cameras to deter criminals.
Data from a Toronto police dashboard revealed a surge in shoplifting incidents valued at over $5,000 from 32 in 2020 to 105 in 2024. Rodrigues emphasized the deterrent effect of cameras on opportunistic criminals, noting that the visibility of cameras plays a crucial role in prevention strategies.
Regarding Turk’s viewpoint on the redundancy of bodycams compared to fixed surveillance cameras, Rodrigues argued that bodycams offer a unique perspective in capturing incidents, especially in identifying criminals attempting to conceal their identities. Turk advised any employee feeling unsafe with a body camera to discuss their concerns with the employer or seek support from union representatives or the Ministry of Labour.