Smyth wants CCTV for war on litter
CCTV and even drone technology is being used in Meath in the battle against litter louts, Cllr Hazel Smyth has claimed - and she wants Westmeath County Council to adopt similar methods.
However, the council in Westmeath believes it is currently not lawful for them to use covert cameras, but Cllr Smyth believes that it has recently become so.
At the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad's July meeting, Green Party member Cllr Smyth asked formally what is the current status of having CCTV cameras installed at litter blackspots in the municipal district.
Mayor John Shaw had a similar motion on the agenda, requesting that the district consider installing solar-powered cameras at beauty spots throughout the district to curb illegal dumping. He felt CCTV could be useful at the county’s lakes.
The response provided by the district to both requests stated that the recently enacted Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 provides for the use of CCTV and mobile recording devices in the enforcement of litter and waste legislation.
However, the response went on to explain that use of this technology under this Act requires the development of a Code of Practice by the CCMA.
“This Code of Practice is expected to be in place later this year and this matter can be given appropriate consideration at that stage,” the response concluded.
Cllr Smyth countered that an item in the Irish Independent revealed that Meath County Council has installed CCTV at litter black spots, and had managed to successfully prosecute somebody for illegal dumping on the back of that.
“I would ask that you would follow up with Meath County Council to see whether we could do similar here in our municipal district,” she said, going on to query why the view in Westmeath was that word from the CCMA was required.
Responding, director of services David Jones said the council will do as asked. He said that while he was not aware of any changes, he would be happy to investigate the Meath case further.