THE introduction of CCTV cameras in RAPID areas has done little to improve residents' safety because the cameras are not monitored, it has been claimed.

The issue was raised at a recent Joint Policing Committee meeting by councillors who said people felt the cameras should be monitored and were confused by the amount of paperwork to be filled in when they did need to obtain footage.

The meeting heard the RAPID CCTV system is run through the council and completely independently from the garda CCTV operation.

Those who need a copy of footage must apply through Drogheda Borough Council (DBC).

Councillor Matthew Coogan said there was no confidence amongst the community in the RAPID CCTV system.

'I think it would be an excellent idea to have it monitored in the garda station,' he said.

'There are victims of crime who go to the gardaí to report and are then sent to the council to fill in forms to get a copy of the footage. They feel like they're being sent from pillar to post.'

Agreeing, Councillor Paul Bell said the main problem was that the public feel it is an unclear system to report a crime and even the gardaí seem unsure at times as to what the procedure was.

Councillor Gerald Nash said confidence needed to be established in some of the cameras working in particular RAPID areas.

'There seems to be some confusion as to how they work. I think it would be no harm to engage in an information campaign.'

The disadvantage of the system is that at the moment it is only retrospective because there is very little monitoring of it as it happens, said Cllr Imelda Munster.

'It's just not as straightforward as it could be or should be. It would be a great deterrent if people knew it was being monitored and if there was crime it could be acted on straight away instead of having to download and tape and fill in lots of forms. It's very cumbersome.'

Superintendent Gerry Smith the two CCTV systems could not be connected because they are two totally independent systems.

'What is available to us is to have a remote monitoring system.'

He said this would entail having a laptop or possibly two in the garda control room where live monitoring could be carried out.

However, he added this was only for live feed and people would still have to go through the necessary paperwork to get the footage.

He advised anyone who was having trouble obtaining footage to approach their local community garda.

Marie Russell told the meeting there are currently seven estates in which RAPID CCTVs are installed but two more, Laurence Park and Laurence Drive, are due to come on stream.

'If we are going to have a look at CCTV cameras can we look at getting a couple of extra camers for the polls that are already there?' she asked.

Senior Executive with Drogheda Borough Council, Mary T Daly said the procedures in place were in accordance with the gardaí regulations in terms of accessing footage and so on and the council were required to have them in place.

Ms Daly added that in relation to the two further cameras for the scheme, a letter has already been sent to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern with regards to connecting them.

- Fiona MAGENNIS