Belfast Council will return a report looking at CCTV in playparks around the city
A representative for the Donegall Pass area has made an appeal to City Hall for CCTV in a playpark due to “strange people hanging about.”
At the December meeting of the Belfast City Council People and Communities Committee, elected representatives heard a request from representatives of the Donegall Pass community regarding drug use and other antisocial behaviour.
Ernie Purvis of the Donegall Pass Residents’ Association requested that Belfast City Council provide CCTV coverage around the Reverend Robert Bradford Park at Lindsay Street.
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He said: “Over recent times there have been strange people hanging about the playpark, including people leaving used needles behind in the park. A few weeks ago a man was sitting on the playpark bench, committing serious antisocial behaviour, and these actions have really frightened parents. Local children are now not using the park.
“They have asked if Donegall Pass Residents’ Association would request if Belfast City Council can provide CCTV coverage. It must be recognised that this children’s playpark is a city centre location, 100 yards from the Dublin Road, and 100 yards from Ormeau Avenue.”
Peter McDonald, of the Donegall Pass Community Forum, said at the meeting: “This park is a lifeline for the community. The statistics show that within Donegall Pass there are 210 children between 0 and 14 years old. The Pass is a neglected inner city area, it has approximately 1,500 residents.
“Under the National Playing Fields Association guidelines, for every 1,000 people there should be 2.4 hectares of open space. Donegal Pass has 0.7 hectares, three times below the average.”
He added: “Not only is the area underrepresented in space, but it is also very high in measures of mental health (problems). We all know that access to open space and greenery, if it is safe, is beneficial. It is imperative that the people of Donegall Pass can come to this park and feel safe. Action should be taken quickly and in a timely manner.”
DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting asked for a council officer report looking at providing CCTV at the park, and how it could be funded.
Sinn Féin Councillor Matt Garrett said: “I completely appreciate that there have been specific issues raised, but equally so there probably will be across the city. [By all means] a report back, but a report that looks at all parks across the city, and how we implement this.
“I know previously from community safety meetings I have attended, whether it be the Holylands or other places to put CCTV, the cost, who manages it, the data protection, all of that needs to be considered. I have no problem getting something back, but let’s get something back that covers the entire city (in terms of) the statistics of antisocial behaviour in areas, and then we can move on from there.”
The committee agreed to Councillor Garrett’s proposal, which will go to the full council in January for ratification.
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