Cameras in public places must and will be installed: mayors prepare to meet

Mayors of cities in the Republic of Cyprus will hold a meeting next week dedicated to the installation of surveillance cameras in public places and parks.

Acting Paphos Mayor Angelos Onisiforou said that cameras are necessary to prevent vandalism and protect municipal property. The initiative was prompted, in particular, by repeated cases of damage to public facilities in Paphos.

According to him, residents should feel safe, while families — should be able to use parks and other public spaces in peace. Municipal property must also be effectively protected.

Onisiforou said that he had already contacted all the mayors and that a meeting would be held next week with the aim of jointly and in a coordinated manner promoting the installation of cameras in parks and public places.

Where current legislation allows surveillance systems to be installed, the authorities intend to begin work without delay. If legal or procedural obstacles exist, the mayors intend to seek the necessary changes to legislation in order to grant local authorities the relevant powers.

«Legislation cannot be an excuse for inaction in the face of repeated acts of vandalism», — the acting Paphos mayor stressed.

At the same time, Onisiforou noted that cameras are not an end in themselves, but should become an additional tool for prevention, protecting municipal property and identifying those who damage public facilities.

«The city does not belong to vandals. It belongs to its residents», — he said, adding that the local authorities intend to do everything necessary to ensure that residents feel safe.