Positively, under certain conditions, the Police are in favor of the public suggestion of the mayor of Ayia Napa, for the installation of public cameras in the town, in the style of London and other European cities. The statements of Giannis Karousos were made at the beginning of the week and, as he stressed, they are guided by the public interest and the increase of the sense of security that the citizens should feel.
On the occasion of the two incidents of murder in the last quarter in Ayia Napa, but also incidents such as theft, burglary, antisocial behavior, etc., "public security cameras would act as a precaution and deterrent to such incidents and would be a very valuable "a tool to investigate serious cases," said the mayor of Ayia Napa.
Mr. Karousos also stressed that his proposal does not mean the implementation of a camera system to which everyone will have access to monitor the daily life and activity of citizens, locals and tourists in Ayia Napa, which may have raised security issues. citizens' personal data. "But", he stressed, he means a system of security cameras which will be installed at its own expense by the municipality and will maintain it, but at the same time, access will only be provided by the appropriate police departments, which will judge when it will be expedient for the public interest and the sense of security that the citizen should feel, to refer to the system drawing information to serve the above social needs ".
Mr. Karousos in his statements also referred to the issue of personal data of the citizen, emphasizing that he understands and respects the need to ensure their confidentiality and confidentiality. "But this," he added, "can also be done by responsibly managing this data, as is the case every time the Police resort to the cameras of private premises to obtain useful data and information on the criminal activity of suspects." for action against the public interest and the sense of security of the citizen ". "Therefore", stressed Mr. Karousos, "it is almost hypocrisy and voluntary blindness not to recognize the positive effect that would have on society, the installation of public security cameras, as long as to ensure as a pupil, the proper management of the material they will record ».
They are waiting for a detailed proposal
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Police, Nikoleta Tyrimou, when asked by the Force to comment on what Mr. Karousos expressed in his statements on the issue, stated that the Police express the general opinion that such a thing would help the safety of the citizens. However, at the same time, the representative of the Police stressed, in order to achieve such a thing, opinions should be expressed by other competent Services involved in the matter. As e.g. the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection and possibly others. "Therefore", continued Ms. Tyrimou, "it would be appropriate at this stage for the Municipality of Ayia Napa to thoroughly submit its proposal to these Services and to secure their positions on the specific issue it raises".
Source: Liberal