Paphos wants cameras in parks and public spaces, prompting further acts of vandalism

Paphos wants to speed up the installation of surveillance cameras in parks and other public spaces. Acting Mayor Angelos Onisiforou announced action following further incidents of destruction of municipal and public property. Local government officials are scheduled to meet in the coming days to address the matter.

This doesn't mean, however, that cameras will immediately appear in every square and park. Cypriot law allows local governments to monitor public spaces under certain conditions – it's necessary to demonstrate that such a solution is necessary and proportionate. Paphos already has experience with such a system.

Paphos wants cameras after further vandalism cases

Onisiforou announced on Sunday that the protection of city property and the safety of people using parks have become one of the priorities.

According to him, residents cannot continue to bear the costs of repairing infrastructure destroyed by vandals.

The acting mayor also announced that he had contacted other mayors and a meeting on the matter was to be held this week. coordinated installation of cameras in parks and public spaces.

Where current regulations already allow, Paphos intends to act as quickly as possible. However, if legal or procedural issues prove to be an obstacle, local governments are expected to seek appropriate legal changes.

Vandalism is not a new problem in Paphos

The announcement does not occur in a vacuum.

In early August, graffiti appeared on a street after a charity event in Kato Paphos. public and private real estateThe city then reported losses and costs that ultimately fall on residents.

In June, authorities also raised concerns about damage to the Historical Documentation Centre under construction in Paphos. The damage included marble surfaces, corners, and railings, which the city believes were caused by people using skateboards, scooters, and similar equipment there. The facility itself costs over 10 million euros.

Another series of incidents has occurred in recent days. Seven or eight stores were damaged overnight from Friday to Saturday, and police are analyzing existing surveillance footage.

Paphos is already using cameras in one of its largest parks

The idea of monitoring public places is not entirely new to the city.

Cameras have already been installed in Park of Colours in Paphos. The decision was made following previous acts of vandalism and after obtaining approval from the Data Protection Commissioner.

This is a particularly important example because the Commissioner's office has officially explained that Cypriot municipalities they can use monitoring in public spaces, if they can demonstrate its necessity and proportionality and conduct appropriate consultation.

In the case of the Park of Colors, Paphos received permission to use cameras at night, because previously applied alternative protection measures did not bring the expected results.

You won't be able to just place the camera anywhere you want

This means that the announcement by the Paphos authorities is not tantamount to the introduction of universal monitoring of the entire city.

Each location must be assessed for data protection and privacy. The local government must demonstrate that the problem cannot be effectively addressed using less intrusive methods or that the scale of the threat justifies the use of cameras.

This approach results from both the regulations concerning the activities of municipalities and the principles of personal data protection.

Onisiforou, however, announces that where current law allows for the installation of monitoring, the city does not want to delay any longer.

The cameras are primarily intended to deter

Paphos authorities emphasize that monitoring is not considered a solution to all problems.

It is intended to be an additional tool that can:

• discourage the destruction of infrastructure,
• help protect city parks and other facilities,
• provide the material needed to identify the perpetrators,
• increase residents' sense of security.

Onisiforou summed up his position by saying that the city belongs to its inhabitants, not to vandals.

No number of cameras or specific locations yet

What is important, however, is what has not yet been announced.

Not yet announced the number of new cameras, the exact list of parks and spaces to be monitored, the cost of the project or the date of launching the system.

The next step is to meet representatives of local authorities and determine where actions can be taken within the framework of existing regulations, and in which cases additional legal solutions will be needed.

Only then should a more concrete plan for expanding monitoring in Paphos emerge.

Source: Δήμος Πάφου / Philenews / Cyprus Mail / Data Protection Commissioner