Official Information Request - CCTV cameras

Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 4:29 pm
Subject: LGOIMA request - CCTV cameras

I refer to your LGOIMA request of 30 December 2021 regarding CCTV cameras that surveil public outdoor spaces, and respond below as per your request:

1. How much has been spent on the installation of CCTV cameras in the past five years, broken down by year?
   2018/19 - $82,379.792019/20 - $61,518.132020/21 - $159,632.57Part 2021/22 - $63,045.79Information prior to the 2018/19 financial year cannot be provided as Council changed financial system software in 2018.
2. What is the cost to run CCTV cameras over a 12 month period? Please specify the dates of the period in your response. If the cost relates to indoor and outdoor cameras please specify the number of indoor versus outdoor cameras.
   Of the CCTV cameras Council owns, on average Council spends approximately $150 per camera per month on electricity, fibre and maintenance costs for the outdoor CCTV cameras deployed in public spaces. Outdoor CCTV cameras attached to Council facilities are included as part of ‘property’ related running costs and are not reported separately.50 CCTV cameras deployed in public spaces54 CCTV cameras attached to Council facilities
3. Were any outdoor cameras vandalised in 2021? If so, please list how many times this happened.
   Yes, 1 camera.
4. If outdoor cameras were installed for crime prevention, security, or public safety, can you please include the number of reported crimes in the year prior to camera installation, and the number of reported crimes in 2021. For ease of response, this can relate to an area rather than the viewport of specific cameras e.g. CBD.
   Rotorua Lakes Council does not report on the number of ‘crimes’ per year as it is Police function to investigate and ultimately determine whether or not a crime has actually been committed. Crime statistics are held by the Police. Council’s role is to monitor and review CCTV footage as required and to respond to, assist with, or escalate any items requiring Police attention.
5. Can you please list the number of times camera footage was used in solving a crime in 2021?
   As mentioned above in question 4.
6. Does your organisation regularly review whether CCTV cameras are performing their objective? If so, please provide the results of the most recent review.
   A review was undertaken in 2020 of camera locations and angles only in relation to the intent to extend our CCTV camera network. In regard to tracking success, reporting on Council’s joint Community Safety campaign provides general/high level information about trends, and any resulting reduction or increase, at least twice a year. CCTV cameras are not specifically singled out in this report so are unable to be reported on other than commenting on (when required) the number and type of transactions (e.g. requests, notings and self-initiated observations/escalation). A KPI has been added through the Long-term Plan to track the effectiveness of new cameras going forward. This has not yet been reported on.
7. Does your organisation have any policy regarding CCTV in place, which covers any of the following - If so, please provide a copy, or link to it:
   a. Objectives of camerasb. Data protectionc. Sharing of footaged. Vetting of volunteers viewing footageRefer to the attached CCTV Policy

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz

Regards