CCTV rollout in Louth leads to enforcement action at litter blackspots
The installation of CCTV cameras at known litter blackspots across County Louth has resulted in a number of enforcement actions by Louth County Council, councillors were told at the authority’s monthly meeting.
Welcoming the update, Cllr Antoin Watters praised efforts to tackle persistent dumping at a problem site in Dundalk, describing the use of surveillance as a positive step in addressing illegal waste disposal.
The council recently launched a public consultation on plans to install CCTV at a laneway between the Holy Redeemer Church and the Family Resource Centre, following repeated serious littering incidents in the area.
While commending the initiative, Cllr Watters highlighted ongoing concerns about dumping at Turf Road in Edentubber, a location he said he has raised on multiple occasions. He asked whether the site would be considered as part of the next phase of the pilot CCTV scheme over the coming year.
Cllr James Byrne also sought clarity on the broader rollout of the CCTV programme, querying how effective it has been in tackling littering across the county. He further questioned whether privacy concerns had been looked at during the consultation process.
Responding, Director of Services David Hanratty confirmed that the council’s environment section will be tasked with compiling a list of additional locations suitable for CCTV installation.
Mr Hanratty said the use of cameras has already proved very effective noting that it has led to enforcement action being taken in several areas, including Racecourse Road in Dundalk.
He added that a detailed report will be prepared for councillors, outlining CCTV locations, the number of warning letters issued, and the level of enforcement action taken by the local authority to date.