Project to extend CCTV surveillance in Portimão revealed
The municipal council of Portimão has announced it will extend the local CCTV surveillance network to cover new parts of the town, including its historic centre.
The announcement came during the celebrations of the 137th anniversary of PSP police’s Faro district command, which took place in Portimão and were attended by the Secretary of State of Internal Administration, Telmo Correia.
Portimão’s CCTV surveillance network, which currently only covers Praia da Rocha and the town’s main entry roads, will be extended to cover the town’s historic centre, riverfront, Gil Eanes square, train and bus stations and access roads to schools.
“Contrary to what many believed, this (CCTV) system contributed positively to the feeling of safety among residents, tourists and businessowners in Portimão, who welcomed it with total confidence,” said local mayor Álvaro Bila, adding that many have called for the network to be extended to new parts of the town, particularly its “historic centre”.
The mayor added that the CCTV expansion project has been completed and is ready to be submitted for approval by the Ministry of Internal Administration.
“Safety is an absolutely vital factor in the socio-economic development of a borough,” Bila said, explaining that it is essential to “attract and retain residents” and to ensure the “well-being of citizens”.
“Criminality is posing more and more challenges, meaning new ways of fighting it must be used,” the mayor added, explaining that more means are needed and that Portimão is “aware of the permanent effort” that this requires.
The secretary of state also highlighted the importance of safety, particularly in a region like the Algarve which welcomes a huge “influx of people” aside from its usual resident population.
“A tourist destination will only be of excellence if it is safe, which calls for an ampler PSP operation,” Telmo Correia said, explaining that the police force’s “competence and professionalism” are what guarantee safety.
Correia also commended Portimão council for “investing in the safety of its residents and visitors” by implementing a CCTV system which “respects people’s privacy and acts as an essential tool for authorities.”
Just this week, another borough in the Algarve, Faro, inaugurated a video monitoring system comprising 32 cameras in its historic centre.
