The Sintra City Council, led by Vice-President Bruno Parreira (PSD), unanimously approved the draft of an inter-administrative cooperation contract with the PSP, aiming to regulate the use of equipment associated with the video surveillance system meant to protect both public and private entities in the Sintra municipality. This contract includes an agreement on the subcontracting of personal data handling.
The Sintra municipality and PSP identified strategic locations for the installation of surveillance cameras aimed at preventing crime and alleviating the sense of insecurity felt in some neighborhoods, as outlined in the contract document accessed by Lusa.
Under Internal Security Law, video surveillance systems are utilized solely for the protection of people, animals, and property in public or accessible places, alongside the prevention of legally defined criminal activities in areas deemed at risk.
The project, submitted by both the National Directorate of the PSP and the municipality for approval, plans the installation of 144 video cameras at points deemed necessary by the PSP, based on the number of criminal incidents at each location, as detailed in the document.
The National Data Protection Commission (CNPD), in a June 2024 opinion, affirmed the system’s compliance with technical equipment requirements and adherence to principles governing camera use.
As part of the contract, the municipality will install the entire surveillance system, which includes purchasing a private fiber optic network for use by the National Internal Security Network, along with the necessary cameras. A management and control center for recording and viewing footage will be established at the PSP premises.
The approved system is authorized to operate for three years following its commencement, which marks the start of the contract between the municipality and the PSP.
During the council meeting, Social Democrat Councilman Luís Patrício expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, noting its proposal was made at the outset of PSD’s term though it took some time to advance.
Councilman Maurício Rodrigues (CDS-PP) also welcomed the proposal, despite criticisms that the municipal president and the socialist executive had previously downplayed the importance of surveillance, leaving the project stalled in the vice-president’s office since the end of 2024.
The vice-president acknowledged PSD’s longstanding advocacy for video protection, highlighting PSP’s challenges in coordinating the process within Sintra, which required proactive communication.
He further mentioned the complexity of establishing a legally sound protocol, emphasizing the municipality’s responsibility for all aspects from control center construction to equipment installation.
Politically, Bruno Parreira warned against misconceptions that problems would not arise if a video surveillance system were in place, which he described as a misleading path that deceives people.
“The cameras will not cover every street or corner,” stated the socialist official, rejecting notions of living under a “Big Brother” scenario.
Parreira argued that while video surveillance could resolve some issues and was included in local security contracts, it should not overshadow social integration measures and support for security forces, including optimal conditions and resources for agents.
He advocated for carefully advancing without succumbing to populism and demagoguery, asserting that cameras never replace human presence nor should they create a false impression of constant observation.
Mayor Basílio Horta (PS) remarked that, within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, considering Sintra’s size and population, the municipality ranks first in safety, except for an issue he regards as shameful—domestic violence—where Sintra is not the worst, but also not the best.
“I am not a fan of electronic surveillance,” admitted the mayor, stating its usefulness in high-crime areas, arguing it should complement security forces but can sometimes be counterproductive if it diminishes their role.
The camera installations will progress once the public procurement process concludes, leaving the task for the next city administration.
