cost of cctv camera

New CCTV camera at busy Derry junction set to end ordeal for long suffering residents

by Gareth Cross

Derry City and Strabane District Council has approved the installation of a new CCTV camera at the junction of Meadowbank Avenue and Strand Road.

The camera is being installed in an attempt to combat anti-social behaviour in the area and will cost £4,225.

Council also plan to replace cameras at the Craigavon Bridge in the current financial year.

The information came to light at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Health and Community Committee in Strabane last week.

Sinn Fein councillor Eric McGinley welcomed the new camera at the Strand Road saying it would 'hopefully provide comfort to residents'.

SDLP councillor Shauna Cusack said that she would 'breathe a sign of relief for residents following a long wait'.

Cllr Cusack said that that the new camera could be up and running in 'two weeks'.

She told council that there had been issues in the area for 'three years' and there had been problems identifying those behind the anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Cusack said that residents were suffering intimidation and had 'to get up at 3am and phone the police and the response wasn't great'.

She told the council that she knew of one man with cancer who was 'traumatised every night with this issue'.

Meanwhile, Independent councillor Patsy Kelly raised the issue of more CCTV cameras needed in Strabane.

A council officer told Cllr Kelly that there was no additional budget for further cameras.

Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson welcomed the camera at Craigavon Bridge 'a year earlier than anticipated' and paid tribute to the 'great work of the monitoring station staff.'

Cllr Jackson said that the staff do 'thankless work under a lot of pressure'.

However, SDLP councillor Gus Hastings said that Cllr Patsy Kelly needed to realise that council covers a wide area and it is 'not all about Strabane'.

Cllr Hastings said that it was about 'what is right and equal'.

Chair of the committee DUP councillor Alderman Drew Thompson pointed out that is easier and more cost-effective to replace CCTV cameras than install new ones.

Reference :  https://www.derrynow.com/news/new-cctv-camera-busy-derry-junction-set-end-ordeal-long-suffering-residents/173684