Could the Isle of Wight’s CCTV cameras be fully monitored once again?
The Isle of Wight council’s cabinet member for community protection, Councillor Karen Lucioni, has said she is on a “personal crusade” to see it happen.
Currently, Councillor Lucioni said one person views the cameras after cutbacks in 2019 saw the control room, at Island Road’s Newport headquarters, stripped of staff.
Lucioni: Wants to make the Island a safer place
Speaking yesterday (Thursday), at the council’s cabinet meeting, Councillor Lucioni said she wants to make the Island a safer place and was working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to try and get the CCTV cameras fully staffed again.
She said it would help get a hold of the Island’s anti-social behaviour issues, bring trust back to the police, and help the council look after its communities.
Cuts to PFI project
Five people lost their jobs four years ago as part of £40 million cuts to the Highways PFI budget.
They monitored the cameras round-the-clock, alerting relevant authorities of live incidents.
Following public outcry and concern from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the council made a partial u-turn dedicating funding to the CCTV service to support the activities of the police.
Under the £726 million 25-year PFI contract, Island Roads are required to install and maintain CCTV cameras.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
