The ugly, intrusive ‘PRIVATE EYE’
Opposition raged this week to tall metal poles erected in sensitive locations at the start of a twin pilot scheme to install CCTV cameras in Girne and Lefkoşa. Chief Reporter KEREM HASAN hears the debate over how — if at all — modern security needs can be
UGLY, visually inappropriate and potentially an invasion of privacy — those were some of the charges being levelled this week at towering metal poles put up to hold new CCTV cameras in locations along Girne’s seafront, in its historical yacht harbour and near its ancient castle, and next to a key landmark in the centre of Lefkoşa.
Among those up in arms at the appearance and position of the poles are harbour business owners and residents who have signed a petition demanding that they be removed.
They are infuriated not only by the “damage” to the historical and aesthetic fabric of a location known as the jewel in the crown of North Cyprus tourism, but also by one in particular being placed so close to harbourfront apartment windows and balconies that breach of privacy is feared.
The “Mobese” cameras are being installed under the Town Security Administration System Law, passed
unanimously on October 8 last year by MPs anxious to stem a rising tide of crime and violence.
But lawyer Besime Coşkun, who lives in a flat in the heart of the harbour and now looks out of her living room balcony straight on to
one of the poles, is spearheading the campaign against the sudden addition to the scene.
She told Cyprus Today: “I have lived at the harbour for 40 years and have never seen such an outrageous situation.
“These poles are inappropriate visually, polluting the historical look of the Venetian surrounds of the historic harbour.
“For us personally, we are more distressed, because the pole . . . towers up to our balcony and living room. We feel our privacy has been compromised.
“We instigated a petition that has been signed by 37 business owners and some residents calling on the authorities to take these poles down and put them elsewhere.”
Ms Çoşkun emphasised that no-one was “against” having CCTV, but explained: “The issue is having the much-needed security to prevent crime and deter criminals, while respecting the historical character of the harbour and certainly the individual privacy of local residents.
“We are concerned. We don’t want to even think that these cameras could spy into our bedrooms and living rooms. Even the potential for them to do so is a scary thought.”
The lawyer pointed out that the law passed in October 2018 said there had to be a “presentation” of “recommendations”, setting out camera numbers and locations, but this had not been done. The law also provided for any objections to be assessed in light of Article 19 of the Constitution, with consideration given to whether there was an infringement of privacy or fundamental human rights, or any damage to the town’s fabric, natural, historical, architectural and cultural features.
CCTV cameras are becoming a routine feature in public areas and are mounted on many urban buildings to provide a visual record of any incident that might occur. However while filming people in public spaces is generally considered fair game, privacy concerns arise when a camera is sited or angled in such a way as to point into an area where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy — especially if the device has enhanced capabilities to see through obstructions or in the dark.
Reşat Günhan, who owns Harbour Café, the Sandal and Kıbrıs Evi restaurants and Moda Accessories, said: “We have been approached by tourists asking, ‘What are these metal poles for? Lights?’
“We answer in embarassment that they are for CCTV. We aren’t against having CCTV but they have put it right next to my restaurant, and this has caused a serious visual pollution.
“It is ugly. It is inappropiate. Some cleverclogs thought that, technically speaking, the cameras should be positioned to see as much of the harbour as possible in the cheapest way. But they forgot the historical buildings, and the fact that 8m-high metal poles are overlooking privately owned properties above our restaurants.
“They even put up a horrible, ugly metal pole literally 1m away from a very nice-looking street lamp opposite Casino Liman. Is this not incompetent? Where is the planning in this?”
Yacht Entrepreneurs’ Union head Faik Gencer, who has long spoken out about prob
lems dogging the yacht harbour, called for “urgent action” to remove and resite the poles “in a manner which does not pollute the view”.
“Couldn’t they have thought of better places to put them, so as not to damage our most iconic tourism attraction?
“I have toured Antalya, Alanya and Side, and the Mobese cameras in their historical areas aren’t even noticeable.
“I am absolutely in favour of having security cameras but . . . you still have to respect the historical make-up of the harbour.”
Ziya Çakmak, manager of the Harbour Club restaurant, described the poles as “comical”, adding: “They’ve been up for a week and tourists are actually asking what they are, thinking they have some special purpose, like a light show of some sort.
“CCTV cameras are needed for security reasons and to deter criminality, but they look out of place. You cannot marry 21st century technology with buildings built during the Venetian, Ottoman and colonial eras. It’s a great shame.
“Had we known what they were going to do, we would have protested as soon as we saw the bulldozers arrive last week to dig up the ground for installing the poles.”
There was more anger on social media after a similar metal pole was erected in Lefkoşa right next to the Venetian column known as “Dikilitaş”, next to the law courts in the walled city’s Sarayönü.
The pole is just metres away from one of the oldest structures built by the Venetians, in an area known for hosting public gatherings.
Republican Turkish Party MPs Armağan Candan and Fikri Toros both blasted the development, while Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus Gülden Plümer Küçük said: “A disgrace, both at Girne harbour and in Sarayönü. When countries around the world choose tourism as their locomotive sector they devise strategic planning. I presume there is a plan to stop tourists coming and to make our cultural heritage extinct.”
Officials at the Interior Ministry, Prime Ministry and Antiquities Department could not be reached for comment.