New policy on CCTV and drones
Tipperary Co Council is working on a new policy for the sourcing, operation and maintenance of CCTV surveillance for local communities.
Last week’s meeting of the council heard calls for the use of CCTV to solve and deter crime in towns, and also to catch litter offenders in the act.
But Cllr Noel Coonan spoke of many community groups that started campaigns for CCTV rollout several years ago and are still waiting for their cameras. People are at “boiling point” over the impasse, he said, urging the implementation of the council’s new policy without delay.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Darcy pointed out that councillors have been “banging this drum for a long time”. People are frustrated with the delay and cannot understand why their CCTV schemes are not up and running.
Cllr John Crosse observed that the issue comes up at every council meeting. “It’s really ridiculous what’s happening,” he exclaimed. He made the point that CCTV cameras are in nearly every shop and business premises one enters; why is it necessary for the council to develop a new policy on their use, he asked.
Cllr Jim Ryan pointed out that data protection is the excuse generally used to explain the delay, which he said is “rubbish”. Cllr Ryan also told the meeting that the CCTV cameras in Thurles are not working, and thieves are arriving in the town by train and “robbing shops blind”.
Welcoming the new policy, Cllr David Dunne said offenders would get away with crime if surveillance schemes were found not be in compliance with data protection legislation. He said the council would also need a budget to upgrade cameras, some of which run a feed so difficult to see that they are “worthless”.
Director of Services Brian Beck said the council has prepared a new policy and it is presently being considered by Strategic Policy Committee. He hoped to bring it before the full council for adoption before the end of this year.
Mr Beck said the council would need to put a sustainable model in place for funding CCTV schemes, from installation to ongoing maintenance, which would bear a significant cost on the council. He added that there would have to be adherence to the data protection legislation or the council could leave itself open to being fined for the improper use of CCTV, as happened Limerick City and County Council last year.
Cllr Coonan said a lot of the expense comes from “bureaucracy”and the licences needed to use CCTV. He also stated that there a substantial government grants available.
Chief Executive Joe MacGrath said CCTV surveillance is no longer a simple matter of just putting up cameras. “That day is gone,” he said, also referencing the Limerick local authority case.
Mr MacGrath said there is also the question of funding. CCTV cameras would have to be replaced every five or six years. The council needs to be clear on how it funds this undertaking, which is why a policy-led approach is required. The CEO assured the meeting that the council is “absolutely committed” to rolling out CCTV in local communities and he expected to have the new policy in place for the start of next year.
CATCHING LITTER OFFENDERS
Later in the meeting, Cllr Seán Ryan sought an update on the use of CCTV cameras to prosecute people dumping rubbish illegally.
Cllr John Carroll wanted to know if the council has also been using drones to monitor litter blackspots.
Such technology would greatly assist in the catching of offenders and the council should have a “name and shame policy”, Cllr Carroll said, adding that the spot fine for littering should be raised from €150 to €500 “at least”. He also believed that offenders should have to pay their own legal costs, not the taxpayer.
Director of Services Eamon Lonergan said the council has drones and their use is governed under CCTV legislation.
A working group has been established at national level to look at the use of CCTV and drones; the group is to report early in the new year, he said. Mr Lonergan added that the council has raised the issue of increased penalties for littering at national level.