The reality of Ballina getting a monitored CCTV system moved a step closer this week. Chairperson of the Ballina Joint Policing Committee, Ballina town councillor Johnny O’Malley, told members that following a number of meetings, the project was ready to go forward to an application stage for funding under the RAPID programme. Ballina is one of a number of towns across the country which was given RAPID status, which makes funding available for a number of programmes to revitalise areas in the town.
The CCTV plan for Ballina would see 11 cameras installed initially at various locations around the town. The proposed locations include Teeling Street car park and the junction of Pearse Street, Tolan Street, and Tone Street. A camera is planned for Tolan Street which would look down Abbey Street, Bridge Street; and Cathedral Road, and another camera would be placed at the Emmet Street car park. Two cameras are planned for Humbert Street, one on the street and one in the car park. There are also plans to put two cameras at the junction of Tone Street and Market Street, a camera at the corner of Pound Street and Teeling Street, and one at the junction of Teeling Street and Lord Edward Street looking on Lord Edward Street, New Barry Street, and Bury Street.
Two mobile camera units are also planned. These will be located in Ardnaree and Parkside. The cost of the project will be €17,000 per camera, with an additional standing charge of €1,000 per year for each camera, along with maintenance costs if needed. Cllr O’Malley told the meeting that the gardaí in Ballina had agreed to monitor the CCTV cameras, with the “brains” of the scheme housed in the town council offices. Cllr O’Malley went on to say that three firms had been contacted about the scheme and the costs, and the network would be run over a fibreoptic system or by microwave technology, depending on the costs. Cllr O’Malley told the meeting that it was hoped to have the funding in place by February 2011 and the installation to follow soon after.
