We Want Our CCTV…?

Always trouble down at that marina…

hey undoubtedly act as a powerful deterrent against vandalism, violence and vendettas on our streets, people tending to be somewhat on their better behaviour when they know someone is watching.

And recording.

For others, there’s a social cost, especially when it comes to our right to privacy.

Still, County Wicklow has already invested heavily in this field, having received €90,000 so far under the Community CCTV Grant Aid Scheme, which launched in 2017.

According to Hugh O’Farrell Walsh in The Bray People, Wicklow received €20,000 in both 2018 and 2022, €45,000 in 2020, and a €5,000 maintenance payment in 2023, making the Garden County one of the country’s most active when it comes to the Department of Justice scheme. The four towns covered so far are Greystones, Bray, Arklow and Wicklow Town, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan making the point that any decisions as to the installing or expanding CCTV lies with each local authority.

With the national system currently transitioning to a new legal framework, no payments were made last year or so far this year, but that new Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 update should be launching this summer. The main change being the replacement of the old, inconsistent approach with a single national system for approving and operating CCTV in public spaces. A move which means existing applications have to now pass through the Oireachtas.

And once those new rules are up and gunning, the Garda Commissioner will issue a formal Code of Practice on the installation, monitoring and maintenance of CCTV.

Speaking this week, the Justice Minister also emphasised the shift brought about by the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 introduction of Local Community Safety Partnerships across the country. Wicklow’s LCSP recently held a meeting in Kilian House in Greystones as they begin shaping local priorities in regard to community safety.

As well as CCTV, the priorities include supporting youth programmes, addressing antisocial behaviour and coordinating responses to local crime trends as well as redesigning public spaces and improving street lighting.

You can find out more about the Community CCTV Grant Aid Scheme here, and Local Community Safety Partnership here.