With the aim of improving "security of persons and property" and contribute to the prevention of "crimes in places where there is a risk of them occurring"Lisbon will now have 216 video surveillance cameras, which will be installed throughout Baixa and the extension from Cais do Sodré to Santa Apolónia. It was a long-standing desire on the part of the municipality, but only now have all the opinions and authorizations been gathered, including those of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"The Assistant Secretary of State for Internal Administration, Antero Luís, has authorized the installation and use of a video surveillance system in the municipality of Lisbon, consisting of 216 cameras, for the security of people and goods and the prevention of crimes in places where there is a risk of them occurring"reads PRESS RELEASE of the government.
The cameras will be installed in 16 areas of Lisbon. These are
- Praça do Comércio
- Column Quay
- D. Pedro IV Square (aka Rossio)
- Restauradores Square
- Figueira Square
- Rua Augusta
- Rua Áurea (aka Rua do Ouro)
- Silver Street
- Fanqueiros Street
- Rua do Comércio and other crossroads
- Ribeira das Naus Avenue
- Cais do Sodré
- Santa Apolónia - Rua dos Caminhos de Ferro and Avenida Infante D. Henrique
- Campo das Cebolas
- Santa Catarina Viewpoint (aka Adamastor)
According to PúblicoThere is interest on the part of the City Council in taking video surveillance to other areas of the city, in particular the Admiral Reis, Bethlehem and the Park of NationsHowever, any extension will be pending a new authorization process. There has been a video surveillance system in Bairro Alto for around seven years nowAccording to the newspaper, this has contributed to a significant reduction in crime in the area.
For now, the 216 cameras will be authorized for two years and will follow the recommendations of the National Data Protection Commission, which issued a favorable opinion on the system in December last year. For example, all cameras must be visible, i.e. hidden cameras are not allowed, and images cannot be taken from private places such as doors, windows and balconies. There must also be public information about the existence of a video surveillance system, complemented by online information on the PSP's website.
The system will be the responsibility of the PSP's Lisbon Metropolitan Command, which will be "the person responsible for storing and processing the data"and it will work "uninterruptedly"This means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to the government. "Whenever there is a situation of concrete danger to the safety of people and property, the capture and recording of sound is permitted" e "rights of access and deletion must be guaranteed, in accordance with the legislation in force".
