Three towns in Tipperary to kick-start campaign to secure CCTV systems
Public representatives have called for CCTV systems to be installed in Tipperary Town, Cahir and Cashel.
Councillors said that the three towns should not be left behind in the rollout of CCTV throughout Tipperary.
They were speaking at a meeting of Tipperary Town/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District.
They were informed that progress had been made on providing CCTV in a number of towns in the county.
They were being addressed by Kathleen Prendergast who presented a community and economic development report to the meeting.
Cllr Declan Burgess said that it was noticeable that attempts to provide CCTV had advanced for some towns but that nothing had been done to start the process for three big towns.
“This is the largest district and we do not have one town in the district with a CCTV system. This is very disappointing,” said Cllr Burgess.
Cllr Burgess said the first step had to be taken to get the three towns involved.
“We should get started on it. CCTV is instrumental to policing and looking after towns,” he said.
Cllr Annemarie Ryan said she had attended a meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee recently and Tipperary Town was not included on a list of towns that was making progress towards the provision of the system.
She asked officials how they could start the process of having the three towns provided with a CCTV system.
“I was informed at that meeting that the first step was down to the local authority.
“We should start the process as early as possible in the new year,” said Cllr Annemarie Ryan.
Cllr Tony Black said the provision of CCTV in the three towns would give the gardaí a serious asset in terms of taking on crime.
“A CCTV system in the towns would give a great sense of security to our communities. They are three big towns. It would benefit all three towns to have a CCTV system. We should have a discussion to see where and how we can start to make sure we are heading in the right direction,” said Cllr Black.
Kathleen Prendergast told the meeting that any security system required a budget.
That budget, she said, was needed to ensure whatever security system was provided that it was properly maintained.
“If there is support within the communities concerned then there is a process. There are costs associated with it and maintenance is one of the biggest ones,” she said.
The meeting was told that a number of community based CCTV schemes had been recommended for authorisation from the Gardaí.
The council was waiting for the final authorisation documentation to come from An Garda Síochána.
Those towns included Littleton, Fethard, Borrisokane, Burgess, Birdhill and Nenagh.