Municipalities in Finland increase collaboration with police to implement urban camera systems

An increasing number of municipalities in Finland are implementing urban camera systems in collaboration with the police. According to Ari Korhonen, the development manager responsible for safety and preparedness at the Finnish Association of Local and Regional Authorities, the international security situation and the rise in public robbery crimes have heightened interest in surveillance cameras. Additionally, positive experiences regarding the ability of cameras to prevent disturbances are encouraging their adoption.

The Finnish Security Intelligence Service reported two years ago on drone activities near critical infrastructure, while this summer suspicious activities were noted around various water facilities. “Examples of hybrid influence operations have been observed, which is certainly one reason municipalities feel it is prudent to protect their property. Furthermore, the increase in robbery crimes among youth has led to a greater interest in enhancing the sense of security and preventing disruptive behavior,” Korhonen stated.

For instance, the city of Naantali in southwestern Finland plans to establish its camera system in cooperation with the Southwest Finland Police and the Police Department. The city council made the decision last week. Neighboring Raisio updated its surveillance system a year ago. Naantali is responsible for constructing and maintaining the camera network, while the police oversee public order through these cameras.

Although there is no precise count of how many municipalities have a camera system in place with police collaboration, Korhonen emphasizes that such partnerships have existed since the 1990s, particularly among larger cities. It is estimated that several dozen municipalities are currently negotiating or have agreements with the police. However, updates to contracts have become necessary due to advancements in data protection legislation, with the police now acting as data controllers.