Pledges sought to keep CCTV
A Ryedale District Councillor is going door-to-door as she seeks donations to keep surveillance cameras up and running in Pickering.
Cllr Linda Cowling is asking businesses to pledge a minimum of £10 towards the cost of keeping the CCTV network online after Pickering Town Council announced that it would be withdrawing its £2,000 contribution to Ryedale Cameras in Action (RCIA) due to financial pressures.
It means the cameras will be switched off in Pickering from April 1 – even though the police say it is a vital tool in the fight against crime.
But Cllr Cowling, who represents the Pickering West Ward, has drawn up a leaflet which she will hand over to businesses and interested individuals as part of her drive to meet the shortfall in funding and ensure Pickering keeps its CCTV coverage.
“Businesses have the right to make the decision about whether they want to have the cameras or not,” she said. “We have almost 400 businesses in Pickering – so, even allowing for the businesses who will decide they do not want to contribute, we should easily be able to raise the money.”
If Cllr Cowling receives enough pledges to cover the £2,000 that Pickering Town Council was being asked to contribute, then she will return to the businesses and ask them to make their donation.
The CCTV network has covered Pickering, Norton and Malton since RCIA, a charity, was launched in 1997, and has been pledged £50,000 from Ryedale District Council over the next two years.
Martin Dales, Chairman of Ryedale Cameras in Action, said: “RCIA very much welcomes Cllr Cowling’s initiative following Pickering Town Council’s decision to cease its contribution towards the CCTV scheme in Pickering, Malton and Norton.
“It is our hope that business contributions can assist in keeping the cameras ‘live’ in Pickering beyond the planned shutdown at the end of this month. It is a vital tool for the police in the prevention of crime and provides residents, local businesses and visitors with reassurance for their personal safety.”
Anyone who would like to pledge their financial support for the cameras in Pickering can contact Cllr Cowling on cllr.linda.cowling@ryedale.gov.uk
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Thursday 20 June 2013
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