ISSUES OVER CCTV COVERAGE IN SLIGO
Cameras switched off over GDPR
THERE are concerns that a local authority CCTV system has been switched off over GDPR fears giving rise to concerns that crimes may go unsolved as a result.
It is understood that An Garda Siochana which operates its own system in Sligo is aware of the issues and have expressed their concerns privately.
Footage from the Council’s own system has often been shared with the Gardaí upon request in the past.
Sligo County Council has been contacted in relation to the operation of its system but has not confirmed how many of its cameras have been turned off and for what reason.
The council’s Housing and Environment sections have used CCTV as part of its work.
The Housing section has been managing and operating a community based CCTV scheme in the Sligo urban area since 2007 at locations such as Cranmore and Forthill.
The scheme was a national measure under the Department of Justice Equality and law reform and administered by Pobal to assist in the maintenance of public order and safety.
The council in a statement said that community consultation was undertaken prior to the submission of the funding applications, and CCTV was welcomed as a tool to improve community safety.
The Council’s Environment section has 11 covert CCTV cameras located throughout the county, with seven fixed cameras at Bottle Bank sites: Ballisodare, Ballymote, Lidl, Market Yard, Supermac’s, Tubbercurry and Carraroe.
It said covert CCTV is also deployed if and when the need arose at a particular location.
“There is no signage provided at locations where covert CCTV is used, however, at locations where there are fixed cameras signage is provided outlining ‘CCTV in operation’ as per GDPR requirements.
The Data Protection Commission is in the process of carrying out an audit on each Local Authority, which includes CCTV surveillance,” the council statement concluded.