CCTV ‘urgently needed’ in parts of Sligo where persistent anti-social behaviour takes place

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

There were renewed calls for anti-social behaviour to be tackled at the February meeting of Sligo County Council with a motion proposed by Cllr Donal Gilroy receiving the backing of his fellow Councillors.

In the wake of incidents of anti-social behaviour in both social and private housing, Cllr Gilroy’s motion called for the local authority to “Carry out a review of CCTV policy and target locations where persistent reports of such behaviour occur to protect tenants and property owners from such behaviour and discourage such anti-social behaviour.”

Referring to the reply received from the local authority Cllr Gilroy remarked, “There are new requirements under the Act for the Garda Commissioner to develop a code of practice, that needs to be done sooner rather than later. We need these and we need them as a matter of urgency.”

Cllr Gilroy referred to an incident where a tenant had a camera inside their home and all they could capture was a guy with a hood over his head slashing their tyres and breaking their front window. It was unknown if he was a tenant in the area, whether he was a visitor, had he come in a vehicle.

He added, “Without shining cameras in people’s doors you can pick up an awful lot of information. That information should only be scanned when there is a need to, when a crime has taken place or when a crime has been reported but this is all about protecting the people who live in our housing and the people who need it.”

Cllr Gilroy continued, “With modern technology a gait can be identified, the way a person walks, there are so many things they can use to identify who that person might be. We need to take people seriously, if someone is living in fear in their home and has had their front window broken.”

Referring to those responsible for anti-social behaviour, Cllr Gilroy commented, “These people need to know if they break the law they will be caught.”

Cllr Marie Casserly voiced her support for the motion when she said, “All the agencies are doing as much as they can but their hands are tied when they get to certain levels. Another issue that is very intimidating is that tenants have to say that they will stand up in court, there is a lot of intimidation involved as well in all these situations.

"The guards are doing great work and the council staff but with the GDPR it seems to be in favour of those who are carrying out crimes instead of the people the cctv is supposed to be protecting. It is definitely something that needs to be looked at. Every time it is mentioned another excuse is thrown out for why it can’t be implemented and it’s time now, for everybody’s sake, it doesn’t matter what housing estate, everyone should be treated the same with respect and dignity and not live in fear of living in their own houses.”

Cllr Arthur Gibbons also gave his support to the motion when he referred to a house being broken into close to his own home a number of years ago. He recalled Gardaí called to every house as far as the garage on the Bundoran Road and were able to follow the culprits on CCTV.

“Can you imagine if you had CCTV fixed to the poles, look at the control the Gardaí would have, they wouldn’t have to call to my house and wade through all that information, it would be an awful lot clearer that what any of us are using.”

The motion also received the backing of Cllr Ann Higgins who said, “It is serious.” She referred to incidents of Windows being put in, drug dealing in front of children and a house firebombed before Christmas.”

She added, “95% of tenants are law abiding who want to get on with their lives. People deserve to be able to get on with their lives in their homes in safety.”

Cllr Thomas Healy was also in favour of the motion as he encouraged people to use the text alert scheme. He added, “No one should be living in terror in their own home.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.