Joint Policing Committee Supports CCTV On Tralee Amenity Walk

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The Tralee Amenity Walkway entrance at Bracker O’Regan Road.

MEMBERS of the Kerry Joint Policing Committee this morning approved a Data Protection Impact Assessment prepared in respect of the operation of a CCTV system as part of the Active Travel Project for Tralee Amenity Walkway.

The CCTV cameras will operate on the Tralee Amenity Walk from the junction of Casement Railway Station to Bracker O’Regan Road (known locally as ‘The Skinny Mile’) with 26 cameras along the amenity walk itself and at the pedestrian entrance off Brewery Road to Casement’s Avenue.

There have been in excess of 150 incidents examined by An Garda Síochána occurring in the environs of the walkway over a 4-year period from 2016-2019.

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Christy O’Connor, Director of Corporate Services / Data Protection Officer, said the cameras would be focussed on the public walkway and would not intrude on any private properties adjacent to the walkway.

The requirements in relation to a Data Protection Impact Assessment are provided for in the GDPR Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018 apply when technology such as CCTV is being utilised in a public setting.

Article 5.1(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) states that personal data must be collected for specific, explicit and legitimate purposes.

In the Tralee Amenity Walkway, these include the following:

• Prevention of anti-social behaviour
• Deterring and detecting crime and supporting An Garda Síochána.
• Assisting in the identification of and apprehension of offenders in relation to public order offences where necessary
• Protecting Council property and facilities
• To assist in the processing / investigation of public liability / other claims against Kerry County Council

The utilisation of CCTV in areas such as a public walkway assists in the provision of safer and more secure areas for those using the facilities, and adjacent householders / landowners.

CCTV in itself can act as a deterrent to potential crime and in itself can prevent the congregation of persons engaging in anti-social behaviour. Its use as an investigative tool is also very important as it can be of great assistance to An Garda Síochána in relation to the follow up on incidents arising.

The Garda Síochána in Tralee District are supportive of the provision of CCTV in this area they feel it provides an excellent deterrent to potential crime and in itself can prevent the congregation of persons engaging in anti-social behaviour, preventing crime and fostering public safety.

Kerry County Council will be the Data Controller in respect of CCTV at this location and has strong security protocols in place to protect the data arising.

There will also be agreed procedures in place with the maintenance contractor with a Third-Party processing agreement and support contract in place.

Gardai have access footage for viewing / operational purposes through agreed arrangements with the Data Controller (KCC).

Any request for viewing is logged, any request for extract or copy of footage must be in writing from a Superintendent rank or higher.

The images will be stored in a secure unit with access control procedures. Access to the system is password protected. The systems will maintain a log of user events and a Council manual log will be also be in place.

Data Subjects have a right to request / view their own footage (personal data). Kerry County Council departments and An Garda Síochána may have access for specific purposes associated with An Garda Síochána or other competent bodies under the Law Enforcement Directive / on submission of a written request pursuant to the Data Protection Act 2018.

Images are downloaded onto removable media which is protected with a unique individually issued password.

Images on the NVR (recorder) units in question are automatically overwritten based on a system parameter -set to 30 days.

Images downloaded in respect of requirements by An Garda Síochana or under the Law Enforcement Directive will be held remotely while the incident in question is being investigated / brought through the legal process as required.