Dunedin CCTV. ODT graphic.
Big Brother's watchful eye could turn on the volunteers
monitoring 14 new CCTV cameras in Dunedin's Octagon if they
abuse guidelines governing the cameras' use.
The warning comes with a list of six broad principles to be
considered on Monday by councillors at the Dunedin City
Council finance and strategy committee meeting on governing
the use of the $205,000 camera system.
The 14 cameras - a joint safety project involving the
council, Dunedin police and Ministry of Justice - are being
installed in the Octagon this week, and are expected go live
from November 4.
However, among the rules governing their use is one warning
volunteers monitoring the images that they will have to
explain themselves if an audit detects they singled out an
individual member of the public for unwarranted scrutiny.
Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell told
the Otago Daily Times the rule aimed to prevent
volunteers from spying on a neighbour or following the
movements of an attractive person.
Volunteers monitoring the images would not be able to
remotely zoom or tilt the cameras, but would be able to
enlarge small sections of what appeared on their screens, he
said.
"Obviously we don't want people to monitor members of the
public because they might know the person, or they might be a
neighbour, or whatever.
"Monitors have to have a good reason if they want to track
the movements of a particular person," he said.
A report to Monday's meeting, by council customer advocate
Adrian Blair, outlined the principles.
They included the fair use of the cameras, which would be
used only within relevant laws, for the purposes the system
was established, and with "due regard" for privacy and civil
liberties.
Police and the council would be jointly responsible for the
cameras' proper operation, and information clearly provided
about the cameras.
Volunteers would also be vetted and trained by police, and
images stored securely and deleted after a specified time
unless required for evidence.
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