By INÊS LOPES [email protected]
Video surveillance for monitoring road traffic going in and out of Faro has started, following an agreement between the Câmara and the PSP police on November 9.
The implementation of video surveillance in the city, which cost €130,000, will be done in phases but initially it is only to be used for monitoring road traffic conditions.
A spokesman for Faro Câmara told the Algarve Resident: “Video surveillance had long been overdue for the city.
“It was imperative to adopt and increase safety measures in Faro, particularly due to its size and concentration of services.”
Seven CCTV cameras have been installed at the Calouste Gulbenkian and Almeida Carrapato avenues, the main access roads into Faro, as well as in the city centre.
The Câmara spokesman said: “The influx of vehicles going in and out of the city daily is significant and the system will ensure improved road safety, protection to the people and property as well as prevent some criminal behaviour.”
In the protocol signed by Faro Câmara and the PSP, the duties and obligations of each entity regarding the management and maintenance of the video surveillance system were outlined.
The Câmara is responsible for providing the equipment while the PSP ensures its maintenance and correct use of collected data liaising with the National Commission for Data Protection.
In future, Faro Câmara hopes to be able to use video surveillance to monitor and record people in public spaces, particularly in areas known for high criminal activity such as busy streets with shops, restaurants and nightlife.
Portimão Câmara is also looking to implement video surveillance in crucial areas of the council, such as the city’s shopping streets and Praia da Rocha’s main avenue, a popular tourist attraction for its nightlife.
However, both the Faro and Portimão Câmara requests for installation of video surveillance of people are awaiting approval from the National Commission of Data Protection.
Do you have a view on this story? Please email Editor Inês Lopes at [email protected]
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