"Big Brother" for Buncrana?
Posted online: Jan 7th, 2009
There has been a positive response to Fine Gael’s call for the installation of CCTV in Buncrana.
The party’s local councillors called for the installation of the security system in response to what they said was a continued increase in anti-social behaviour in the town.
Councillor Paul Bradley, who will raise the matter at the next Town Council meeting, said the cameras would play an essential role in reducing anti-social behaviour in the area.
He said: “In recent months I have been contacted by several Buncrana residents and business people who are very concerned at the growth in the number of disturbances in the town centre. People are being kept awake to all hours in the morning and property is being damaged. Other towns of similar size to Buncrana have installed CCTV systems and have successfully lowered the number of disturbances and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Bradley revealed he and his Fine Gael colleagues have requested the support of local Gardai.
He said: “I am currently working with the co-operation of my colleagues Deputy Joe McHugh and Councillor Peter McLaughlin and have recently written to our new Superintendent Paul Glynn seeking the full support of An Garda Siochana.”
Buncrana Sinn Féin Councillor Daren Lalor said it was “an excellent proposal” but it was ‘imperative” it was correctly managed.
He said: “The reality is there are already a number of CCTV cameras in
operation, which have been installed by individual businesses.
“If Buncrana takes a decision to install CCTV then it is imperative that it is of the highest specification available and is operated and monitored by a competent authority, because protecting and securing any video evidence is vital for peoples rights and privacy.
This is an excellent proposal and something I believe can be dealt with under the new Joint Policing Committee that is soon to be established.’
“We also have to be mindful that evidence continually shows us that quality pubic street lighting and good community policing is second to none in creating safer communities.”