Concerns over how the reduction in CCTV monitoring from 24 hours a day to 12 hours a day is impacting the safety of citizens has been raised by a Glasgow councillor.
The change to CCTV monitoring was unanimously agreed as part of the 2023 budget process and has been in operation since September 2023.
During a recent council meeting, councillor Ruairi Kelly said there had been no reported incidents or evidence of it impacting the safety of citizens.
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But councillor Kevin Lally said he “begged to differ” and that his inbox was full of concerned emails from his constituents.
Councillor Lally said: “In a week there has been an annual walk of hope organised by Chris’s House a suicide awareness organisation.
“A lack of monitoring has recently led to a suicide from a bridge that may well have been prevented.
“There has been large groups and organisations at the recent Old Firm games, recent media reports from community groups and Police Scotland – which is already stretched – voicing their concerns.
“My question is simple – why? Our citizens deserve to feel safe.”
Councillor Kelly advised that members needed to be careful when attributing these incidents to changes in council CCTV operation.
READ MORE: City centre residents raise concerns over decision to reduce hours CCTV monitored
He responded: “If councillor Lally has specific examples or evidence I am happy for that to be sent over and discuss it with officers.
“I would caution anybody though in directly attributing any incidents in the city to the changes in council services without having any evidence of that as I think that is quite unfair on council services.
“The monitoring of the CCTV was a decision taken at the 2023 budget – there were no alternatives proposed and no alternatives proposed in the most recent budget process.”
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