Rinelle Harper's attack has raised questions about improving downtown safety, especially in dark, isolated areas near the river.
Last weekend, the 16-year-old was attacked and left for dead under the Midtown Bridge.
The Harpers suggest adding surveillance cameras. Some riverwalk users support the idea.
“Good idea for cameras, especially under the bridges,” said Bruce Kendall.
“It would be a deterrent for sure,” said Rachel Fainman.
But University of Winnipeg’s criminologist Kevin Walby says studies from the U.K. and across Canada show no conclusive evidence that cameras deter crime.
“There's blind spots with cameras, they haven't shown a deterrence affect and if someone wants to commit a horrendous crime, storm a building, they'll still do it,” said Walby.
In 2008, the City of Winnipeg conducted a pilot project using surveillance cameras in several neighborhoods, including the area around Central Park, but results didn't show a reduction in overall crime.
“A technological solution is never going to cut it. We need people who care about each other more. We need to think about it when we design urban spaces,” said Walby.
Winnipeg's mayor says he's open to ideas on how to improve city safety.
“We're going to keep all options on the table to try and mitigate the types of tragic incidents that have been happening in our community from occurring again," said Mayor Brian Bowman.
In 2012, the city installed new lights, twice as bright as the old ones, on the riverwalk from the legislative grounds to The Forks.
Kevin Walby says surveillance cameras can be important tools in investigations, but he also says studies show cities with a lot of cameras provide such an overwhelming amount of information, they can have a negative effect on the investigation process.
