SOME 600 businesses in Enniskillen have been written to by the acting chief executive of Fermanagh District Council, urging them to renew their commitment to keeping the town’s CCTV system going for another three years.
The annual cost is split between the council, the PSNI and local businesses. Next year’s outlay (April, 2015-March 2016) is estimated to be £39,000, which means traders are being asked to cough up £13,000.
But, time is of the essence and, unless they make a sufficient commitment by Friday week, 2nd May, there is a real danger the scheme will collapse.
Seven cameras operate at strategic spots in and around Enniskillen town centre, together with an audio system where a recorded, ‘you are being monitored’ warning is activated where anti-social behaviour is spotted.
A spokesman for the Townhall said that the most significant decrease in recorded crime was in the ‘assaults’ category, down from 242 in the year 2011-2012 to 162 for the following year.
“There were no rises in any of the crime categories”, he added.
To fund the cctv system, businesses’ contributions to the scheme vary in that they are based on their rating valuations, with some paying £75 and others up to £1,500.
The spokesman explained that all payments are tax deductible and those businesses who contribute are acknowledged, eg by the use of window stickers.
“They were for it at the start”, he added, “but with the economic climate, they began dropping out.
“It is essential that there is a further three-year commitment to support the scheme. But, if there is an insufficient response, the scheme will be at risk of terminating on 1st July, 2014.”
He said the scheme had been operating for the past six years and, in that period, it had contributed to an increased feeling of security in Enniskillen town, and had resulted in a significant drop in reported crime.
Businesses are being asked to complete and return a direct debit form by Friday of next week, 2nd May. If they make their returns by this date, they will be eligible for a 10 per cent discount.
This week, the Townhall revealed that seven new ‘Emergency Help Points’ are to be integrated with the existing CCTV system within Enniskillen, one each situated at each of the CCTV camera locations.
“They are for the use of the public to report disturbances, vandalism, unattended packages, anti-social behaviour and suspicious activity.”
They are expected to be operational before the end of the month.
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