Blake renews calls for Community-based CCTV in Letterkeny
June 17th, 2005Cllr Damien Blake, Deputy Mayor of Letterkenny, has today renewed calls for the installation of a Community-based CCTV system in Letterkenny. This follows the announcement of another round of funding from the Department of Justice, providing grant aid for up to 70% of the cost of such systems.
“Letterkenny has missed out on similar schemes in the past, and the town has suffered because of it. Rather than play the blame-game, I am calling on the Town Council to engage with the Gardai, the Chamber of Commerce and other community organisations to put together a bid to secure this vital funding.”
“CCTV is not a silver-bullet to solve all our problems, but it does play a vital part in the prevention of crime, in providing evidence for prosecutions and can be a vital resource allowing Gardai to patrol areas virtually when their numbers are s tretched, as can often happen. The Gardai do excellent work every week in Letterkenny, and the Town Council must doing everything in our power to ensure every possible resource is available to them.”
Cllr Blake highlighted the benefits community-based CCTV systems have had in similar-sized towns across the country, such as Naas, Tralee and Castlebar.
“Around the country, towns like Letterkenny are seeing the benefits that CCTV can bring. We must take these steps to ensure Letterkenny remains one of Ireland’s leading destinations for business, shopping and socialising.”
Cllr Blake has received the unanimous support of the Council for installing CCTV following motions at meetings in November 2004 and March 2005.
Minister Michael McDowell recently announced a renewed scheme of funding for community-based CCTV systems. The Department of Justice will fund up to 70% of the capital cost of any qualifying scheme, to a maximum of €200,000.