CCTV cameras in Portobello

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 04 Oct 2003, 11:42

I believe there is a proposal to install a number of CCTV cameras in Portobello along the High Street and Promenade.

This would significantly reduce crime and the fear of crime in Portobello. It seems that we only require funding from the Scottish Executive to implement it. Can anyone throw further light on this topic and/or explain why funding is not forthcoming. And what action is needed to obtain this funding.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Oct 2003, 12:59

Brian

CCTV is among the subjects under active discussion by the Problem Solving Partnership (see postings under this topic). I would recommend that if you are interested in pursuing this that you attend the next meeting. I will email you details. In fact, it would be nice to have representatives from all of the Portobello-based neighbourhood watch schemes and residents associations as well. Please email me if you wish to attend.

On this subject, the local police are keen to re-establish and support Neighbourhood Watch and I know of at least 2 new schemes in Adelphi and Rosefield that are currently being set up. I think that one of the most positive things that could come out of this is that these seperate schemes get in touch with each other. I'm sure that we share a lot of the same problems and that we could usefully exchange ideas and information.

CCTV is by no means a magic solution but, in combination with other measures, can be very effective. It provides a very useful tool for the police in both deterring crime and in identifying the perpetrators of crime. It offers us all a measure of protection, reassurance and security. I know that some people see this as a civil liberties issue but I feel that this is the price we have to pay. Just ask the people in Rosefield about the difference the camera has made to their quality of life. Local residents have now reclaimed the park. As an example, this morning a few of us washed down the play equipment, picked up litter, removed grafitti etc. Technology is great but it's still about local people working together.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 15 Mar 2005, 17:20

A guy was erecting what looked like a CCtv camera outside Blockbuster this morning and Ali's just come home and said another was being put up outside the new flats at the top of Bath Street just now.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 15 Mar 2005, 22:32

Does Big Brother make you safer. Or just more controlled?

Yes, they help solve some crimes and yes they help prevent (displace) some others and yes they make me feel really p****d off.

lets have some compulsory ID cards too, why not? We could show them to the bus driver, and log our movements on the electronic thingy that they carry for ridacards...

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 16 Mar 2005, 01:29

Big Brother can be very bad in the wrong hands. We have to have a balance between protecting the innocent and controlling/convicting the guilty to such an extent that they'll improve their behaviour.

There's a lot needed via the schools to start modifying/improving behaviour and some controls/incentives on parents to support improved behaviour.

Perhaps we need more CCTV now in order to bring about this change and then we can reduce it later.

We are already pretty well covered electronically with using credit/debit cards so Retailers can anticipate your buying behaviour. Again in the wrong hands this could be so intrusive.

This is why we need to have good local and national government who are committed to a democratic society.

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 16 Mar 2005, 03:55

Thy should tap the CCTV cameras into your cable tv stations.... should be an interesting watch!!!