Surveillance system expansion approved: Installation of 144 CCTV cameras in Sintra confirmed.
In a move outlined by Bruno Parreira, Vice-President of the council, a collaboration contract between the municipality of Sintra and the Public Security Police (PSP) was greenlit. This contract, dubbed "Inter-administrative Cooperation," aims to establish guidelines for the utilization of equipment related to the video surveillance system. The purpose is to safeguard "people and public and private property" within Sintra, as well as secure agreements concerning the handling of "personal data."
Interestingly, Sintra, recognized as a tranquil town lies near Lisbon and is generally admired for its peacefulness and safety[2]. Under this agreement, the locations selected for the installation of video surveillance cameras have been jointly identified by the municipality and the PSP, with the goal of curbing crime and addressing the sense of insecurity experienced in certain parishes in the municipality.
As per Portugal's Internal Security Law, video surveillance systems can only be employed for "protecting the safety of people, animals and property," in public places or areas with widespread public access, and for the prevention of crimes categorized as such by law, particularly in locations deemed as high-risk for criminal activity.
The partnership between the National Directorate of the PSP and the municipality proposed the installation of 144 video cameras at strategic locations, chosen by the PSP based on the frequency of criminal incidents in each identified area, as the document states.
The National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) issued an opinion in June 2024, attesting to the compatibility of the proposed system with the required technical equipment specifications and its adherence to the principles of camera usage.
Under this contract, the municipality will take responsibility for setting up the entire video monitoring system, including the acquisition of the private fiber optic network to be utilized by the National Internal Security Network, as well as the video cameras. The management and control center will be established at the PSP facilities, serving as a platform for recording and reviewing the collected footage.
The system, once initiated, is authorized to operate for a period of three years beginning from its operational inception, coinciding with the execution of the contract between the municipality and the PSP.
Dismissing the notion of constant surveillance, the socialist mayor asserted, "The cameras will not be set up on every street or every corner." Emphasizing that that projection of a "Big Brother" society is not the objective.
In the realm of video surveillance, certain principles are universally applied, such as:
- Transparency and Public Awareness: Clear signage alerts the public about the presence of CCTV cameras.
- Protection of Privacy: Cameras are primarily positioned in public spaces, minimizing intrusion into private areas.
- Legal Compliance: Video surveillance must adhere to local laws, including data protection regulations.
- Purpose and Justification: Surveillance cameras help ensure public safety, deter crime, and aid law enforcement efforts.
- Access Control and Data Storage: Access to footage is limited to authorized personnel, and data is stored securely according to legal guidelines.
For more specific information on Sintra's video surveillance timeline, locations, and principles, it is recommended to consult local government or PSP resources directly.
In adherence to the partnership between the Sintra municipality and the Public Security Police (PSP), the installation of video surveillance cameras will be carried out in certain areas to combat crime and improve overall security, as outlined by the "Inter-administrative Cooperation" contract. The system, once operational, will be subjected to a three-year cycle, ensuring compliance with Portugal's Internal Security Law. Transparency and public awareness will be prioritized through clear signage indicating the presence of CCTV cameras in public spaces, adhering to the principle of protecting privacy by minimizing intrusion into private areas. Additionally, the video surveillance system will follow legal regulations, such as data protection guidelines, to ensure proper handling of personal data.
