Dublin TD says traffic cameras should be used to crack down on crime
A Dublin TD has said that traffic cameras should be used as a tool to crack down on crime.
James Geoghegan, a Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, told Lunchtime Live on Newstalk that he believes Gardaí should have access to traffic cameras.
'We've just 200 CCTV cameras in Dublin city,' he said.
'Even just to compare that to, say, the amount of traffic cameras that Dublin City Council have - they have about 400.
A protected security camera seen in Dublin's City Center
News in 90 June 4th
'We could make the legislation easier so that Guards could have better access to these 400 traffic cameras that are out there.
'But I also invest and make it easier for CCTV cameras to be put in areas where local people… have identified incidences of antisocial behaviour or crime,' he continued.
'The same way people feel safer when they see Gardaí on the street, it would make people feel safer if they had a few more cameras.'
Deputy Geoghan said that if Gardai had more live 'operational oversight,' it would make Dublin a safer city.
'What we're really talking about here is live availability,' he said.
'I would have been in Pearse Street Garda Station where they have live operational cameras on the main thoroughfares streets, so they can respond instantly to issues as they arise.
'[People] will be very familiar with CCTV cameras on private premises, and Guards can access those cameras after the event.
He believes live access to traffic cameras will also act as a deterrent to crime.
'One of the most common complaints you'll receive when you're talking to business, both in the city centre or in any of the towns or village that politicians represent, is the absence of CCTV to catch someone who has, let's say, perpetrated a shoplifting or carried out an incident,' he explained.
'But also, to act as a deterrent, when we do big major events live in the city, let's say St Patrick's Day or the US college football, you do bring in temporarily increased numbers of CCTV.
'There is a reduction in crime, all the businesses will tell you that around the areas they're in.'
Geoghan previously criticised a lack of cameras in the city, after it was revealed there was one Garda CCTV camera for every 6,000 people in Dublin.
Meanwhile, according to research by Comparitech, London has 14 per 1,000 people, Berlin has 13 per 1,000 and both Paris and Rome have four per 1,000.
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