Private and Public CCTV Cameras to be Regulated by Local Government

**Starstreak** · 11-02-2014, 17:58

The City of Cape Town has recently issued draft regulations governing CCTV cameras. Unfortunately, the proposed rules also attempt to control private cameras covering the street or public areas.

7.11.1
CCTV installations on private property , that monitor public urban space and that do not form part of a broader CCTV network i.e. transmitted and recorded off - site, do not require the authorization of the Vetting Committee.

The location of the cameras and reasons for the installation must however be submitted (Annexure 10.7 ) to the Vetting Committee to ensure that all cameras, viewing public space, including a road, are used for legitimate policing efforts, which are in the broader community’s interest and not for any illegal activities or purpose.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Public...inal_Draft.pdf

This is their final draft, so I presume they're serious, and this isn't designed to provoke an outcry. It doesn't sound democratic to me or fair. I've tried to get CCTV footage from Council before and they don't want to give the time of day, so now they presume to demand that we register cameras!

**bmeagle** · 11-02-2014, 20:37

Proudly brought to you by the DA? More government meddling.

**Kev123** · 11-02-2014, 20:39

Blegh... Just bought a 16 camera cctv kit for my house, going to be setting it up this weekend

**claassdj** · 11-02-2014, 20:46

Sod them when they pay for it they can use it .

**Gunservant** · 11-02-2014, 22:44

Nanny statery again. Ugh.

**d7e7r7** · 12-02-2014, 02:08

Reminds me of the registering your pets thing they had/have.
Going to be difficult to police/enforce...

EDIT:
I just read a bit of the document now and it seems this is only for cameras fitted to city property. So if your cameras are fitted to your private property this shouldn't apply?

EDIT 2:
Scrap that... applies to everyone:

4. POLICY PARAMETERS 4.1. This policy applies to private and external CCTV cameras, installed on City of Cape Town land and
infrastructures as well as private CCTV cameras installed on private property, monitoring the City’s
public area and those CCTV cameras which forms part of a broader CCTV network.

**Gunservant** · 12-02-2014, 07:26

Originally Posted by d7e7r7

Reminds me of the registering your pets thing they had/have.
Going to be difficult to police/enforce...

EDIT:
I just read a bit of the document now and it seems this is only for cameras fitted to city property. So if your cameras are fitted to your private property this shouldn't apply?

EDIT 2:
Scrap that... applies to everyone:

Exactly. Do dummy cameras also count if they face the street, I wonder?

This is what we need more of: yet more unenforceable and completely unnecessary bylaws and meddling in private affairs. Ugh.

**Blunderbuss** · 12-02-2014, 07:39

Aah if my camera, mounted within the bounds of my property, happens to cover some "public" area, I have to get "permission/approval" from the council?
Does this imply conversely that any municipal camera mounted such that it possibly covers my private property must be approved by me? Or is this once more a matter of do as we demand, but we are free to do as we like?

**NWPSA** · 12-02-2014, 08:29

They are clearly concerned about criminals installing cameras for criminal purposes. But really, which criminal is going to install a CCTV camera, on private or public property, it is not practical? Then again, this is SA, so maybe it happened somewhere?

**Gunservant** · 12-02-2014, 08:51

Originally Posted by NWPSA

They are clearly concerned about criminals installing cameras for criminal purposes. But really, which criminal is going to install a CCTV camera, on private or public property, it is not practical? Then again, this is SA, so maybe it happened somewhere?

I think it is highly unlikely. In fact, the idea is just improbable as can be: criminals have effective surveillance methods for picking and hitting their targets, but installing their own CCTV just isn't one of them. No, this isn't about crime at all: it is about our socialist nanny state WC local government going on a power trip, because they obviously know what is best for us as opposed to us knowing better than them. "My city works for me"...what an absolute joke. Register your dogs and cats, but this bylaw isn't enforced in the townships and poorer areas. All this registration and regulation just opens you up to more tax. It incenses me.