Southern Star August 29 2015
SIR – Mayday. Mayday. Mayday. I was astonished and dismayed to learn of the plans under way to rig up Schull main street with CCTV.
What on earth is going on? To my mind CCTV is something that is necessary in places where serious threats, like terrorism or persistent vandalism, exist. Schull does not, and probably never will, fall into either category.
The odd burst of hooliganism, as occurred in Crookhaven this summer, might be as bad as it gets, but even this could not justify such Orwellian Big Brother tactics. So, why the drive for CCTV in our quaint and quiet town? What forces are at work and why?
Apparently many concerns have been raised regarding this scheme but all seem to have been brushed aside. Prevention, it seems, is the idea, but prevention of what? I have taken to sowing radish around the boundary of my vegetable garden as I heard that it keeps the elephants away. So far it has proved exceedingly effective.
I would appeal to all those folk who love the charm and relaxed atmosphere of Schull to challenge Schull Community Council on this over-the-top reaction to er ... what, exactly?
Let common sense prevail for once. CCTV, here there and everywhere, is not a sign of a civilised, happy society, it is the sign of a society under stress and that, surely, does not apply to us.
Nick Addey,
Rossbrin,
Schull.
