CCTV plan for Gortin Glens park because of anti-social behaviour

PLANS are in place to install mobile CCTV units to curb anti-social behaviour at Gortin Glens Forest Park.

There have been a number of dangerous driving incidents at the park recently and concerns around the problem have been raised at a meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who manage the popular facility.

The council said it is working through the process of having mobile CCTV units installed at the park.

Councillor Bernard McGrath, SDLP, raised the issue at the Environmental Services Committee meeting, saying: “The  boy racers  were back. This is the third time I’ve mentioned this in two years and there doesn’t seem to be any progress.

“The big difference this time is they were there early, from around 7 o’clock while members of the public were using the facility, who were left feeling  threatened and intimidated.”

Director of Environment and Place, John News, confirmed: “We are aware of the antisocial behaviour and we received  reports from residents and members of the public.

“It is quite rightly noted this has been an ongoing challenge, and it’s worth highlighting what the Council has done.”

He set out how additional signage has been installed as well as ‘No Return’ plates in the scenic drive at top exit.

Consideration has been given to closing the automatic gate at the entrance at certain times; however: “On this occasion the antisocial, dangerous driving was at an earlier time and was reported to police.

“We are also continuing to go through a process of installing CCTV cameras throughout the park in an attempt to establish what will deter this sort of behaviour, which is completely unacceptable, particularly as we come into the brighter nights.”

Mr. News added: “The damage in the carpark was caused by skid marks from ‘doughnutting’ and thankfully nobody was hurt.

“There were no accidents of damage to property, vehicles or pedestrians.

“This brings home the importance of an appropriate separation between vehicles and pedestrians in an area like this.

“We continue to act and are engaging with police. The correct actions were taken around what is antisocial driving.”

He concluded by encouraging anyone witnesses such behaviour to report it to the PSNI, who “have previously stepped up drive-bys through the park at certain times, but they can’t be there 24/7”.

Councillor McGrath suggested if there was more of a presence of council staff and rangers, it may deter the behaviour.

This was supported by Sinn Féin Councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald, who noted boy-racers “are very opportunistic, who nip in and out very quickly”.

She continued: “It’s a highly-visited spot and a more visible presence might help, although I don’t wasn’t to put anyone in danger.

“This is something the Council has to keep in mind.”

Mr. News advised staffing the facility constantly was not viable; however “CCTV footage is the possible solution, whereby footage is captured identifying a vehicle which is then passed to police”.

In response to an enquiry around to timescales for CCTV cameras from Councillor Roy Crawford, Ulster Unionist, Mr. News advised the Council is working through the process of privacy impact assessments and identifying suitable locations.

He concluded: “One of the challenges given the opportunistic nature of this antisocial behaviour is putting in a single fixed CCTV [camera] isn’t going to be the solution, because when it’s in one location, people will simply avoid it.

“We are looking at using mobile cameras to detect the incidents where they are happening.”

This was supported by all in the Chamber.