CCTV to be used to battle illegal parking in Kowloon East
Pilot scheme hopes to reduce congestion and improve parking situation in Kwun Tong
Closed-circuit television will be installed in Kowloon East in the first quarter of next year under a pilot scheme to test its effectiveness in reducing illegal parking.
The plan was revealed by the Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung at a Kwun Tong District Council meeting on Thursday afternoon, where a number of councillors raised their concerns about road congestion and other traffic problems brought about by illegal parking in the district, where large industrial vehicles are common.
“If the results of the test prove the feasibility [of using CCTV], we would seek to amend the laws,” said Lo, emphasising that privacy concerns would need to be addressed if the use of CCTV was to be normalised.
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According to the guidelines on using CCTV compiled by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, an evaluation must be done before installing cameras to monitor activities in public spaces.
The police is required by the guideline to stipulate the goal and scope of using CCTV, prove that the CCTV is an effective tool to reduce illegal parking and no better alternative is available.
The guidelines also suggest putting up conspicuous notices at the entrance to the places monitored by CCTV and to limit the resolution and use of the footage.
A police spokesman said while privacy has always been a concern with the police’s use of CCTV, other potential amendments needed would be found and then handed to the Transport and Housing Bureau.