A new hi-tech CCTV system, which can be remotely accessed by computer and smartphone, is proving a very successful litter deterrent in Tralee, with more litter louts than ever being caught, according to the town’s litter warden.
The four-camera system, the first of its kind in Tralee, was installed in August to view the fourteen bottle banks at the rear of Garvey’s SuperValu. According to town litter warden Brendan Murphy, the system allows offenders at the site to be clearly identified.
“It’s the first of its kind for Tralee Town Council, and as it’s a high-definition system we can get the registration plates very clearly from people caught dumping rubbish. Fines are then issued and followed through, and we’ve found that detection rates are up following the first few months of using the new system.”
The project is one of the first in the country, according to ADA, which installed the system.
Footage
The council had previously installed a system in this location, but found it difficult to obtain footage of a standard that would be acceptable in court for a prosecution. In conjunction with Brendan Murphy, ADA designed a system to suit the open nature of the site. The advantage of HD CCTV is that one HD camera can cover an area that would previously have taken three or four standard cameras.
The image quality is superb, and it has proven this in the two months of operation to date. The footage is recorded on site but can be viewed remotely on a PC or a smartphone, which makes the operation of the system much easier for the warden.
By Michelle Crean. Published in Kerry’s Eye, 13 October 2011.