(Live here - State Comptroller) - The Haifa municipality's security cameras are absent precisely in places where the crime rate is high ○ About half of the requests for freedom of information submitted to the Haifa municipality were rejected by it • Findings from the annual report published by the State Comptroller.
The state auditor and ombudsman, Matanahu Engelman, published (Tuesday 16/7/24) the annual audit report concerning the local government. The report reveals a number of alarming findings regarding the activities of the Haifa municipality during the period in which the audit was conducted.
Among the significant issues that arise in the report and raise questions about the functioning of the Haifa municipality is the issue of surveillance cameras in the public space, according to which the municipality's security cameras are not placed precisely in areas where they are especially needed, being "disaster-prone". Another issue deals with the application of the freedom of information law in the municipality Haifa - the report shows that the Haifa municipality rejected about half of the requests for freedom of information that were submitted to it.
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Inadequate planning and control
The audit found that the Haifa Municipality, as well as other local authorities, installed many surveillance cameras in the public space, but without sufficient planning and control. Among other things, it appears that no complete data was collected from the Israel Police on the location of the crimes in the city. As a result, cameras were placed in neighborhoods where the crime rate is low, and in areas where the level of crime is high and therefore security cameras are needed even more, no cameras were placed.
Privacy Protection
Furthermore, the report states that a map showing the layout of the cameras in the city was published on the municipality's website, but the filming areas covered by the cameras are not specified, and the length of time the recordings are kept was not published, this is contrary to the guidelines of the Authority for the Protection of Privacy.
Surveillance cameras in public spaces
In the period between May and September 2023, the State Comptroller conducted a comprehensive inspection regarding the operation of surveillance cameras in the public space by the local authorities, with the aim of examining their deployment in the space and the types of surveillance cameras placed for security purposes (as opposed to cameras placed for the purposes of enforcing traffic offenses or in educational institutions).
Among the 5 authorities that were tested - the Municipality of Haifa, the Municipality of Nesher and the Dalit El Carmel local council.
475 cameras in Haifa
The report indicates that the Haifa municipality began installing surveillance cameras in 2013, and as of the end of the audit, 475 cameras were placed in the city, of which 358 were fixed, 112 PTZ cameras, two license plate recognition cameras and 3 thermal cameras.
The cameras are deployed mainly in the Hadar and Lower City neighborhoods (43%), the West Haifa area (27%), Neve Shanan (18%) and other areas.
250 cameras in Nasher
Nesher Municipality installed 250 cameras, of which 204 are fixed, 30 are PTZ and 16 are for license plate recognition. The cameras are deployed mainly in sports and leisure facilities, municipal facilities, public buildings, parks and intersections.
111 cameras in Dalit El Carmel
The Dalit Al-Karmel local council began installing cameras in 2012 and at the end of the audit it had 111 cameras: 86 fixed, 17 PTZ and 8 for license plate recognition. The cameras are located mainly at intersections and main roads (41%) and in residential neighborhoods, parks and public institutions (59%).
Lack of orderly procedures
The main findings of the report reveal that Haifa, Nesher and Daliat al-Carmel have not established orderly procedures for operating surveillance cameras in the public space. The absence of these procedures harms the public's rights and its ability to manage its steps in an informed manner.
Activating the seeing center
Among the authorities examined, there was a difference in the way the seeing center was operated. While in Bensher the dispatchers were also engaged in additional tasks, which could harm their function, in Haifa and the Dalit al-Karmel local council, the dispatchers focused on watching the cameras only.
Determining procedures
The State Comptroller's office recommends that the Dalit al-Carmel, Haifa and Nesher authorities establish orderly procedures in all aspects related to the operation of surveillance cameras in the public space.
Mapping the location of the security cameras 2 - they were not placed in places with a high crime rate
Haifa - The mapping shows that the Haifa municipality did not place cameras in central places where there are many crimes, such as Histadrut Boulevard and neighborhoods with a high average crime rate. It has a multi-year plan for placing cameras for the years 2021-2025.
Nesher - Nesher Municipality did not prepare a multi-year plan for placing cameras.
Dalit Al-Karmel - Prepared a list of future camera sites but did not define a purpose for all the camera sites and did not establish the order of priorities between the sites.
summary and recommendations
The State Comptroller's Office recommends that the local authorities prepare organized multi-year plans for placing cameras, which include priorities, installation dates and required budgets. He also praises the Haifa Municipality for preparing a multi-year plan for placing surveillance cameras in public spaces.
There has been an improvement, but not enough
On the issue of freedom of information, the report shows that the municipality of Haifa (along with other authorities) does not manage the field of freedom of information in the optimal way. Significant differences were found in the transparency of information on the websites of the authorities, in the sharing of information and in the management of the array of information requests.
The auditor found that there is an improvement trend in recognizing the importance of government transparency, but not enough has been done yet to encourage the public to exercise their right to receive information according to the Freedom of Information Law.
44% of the requests were rejected
The report also shows that out of the 1153 submitted to the Haifa municipality under the freedom of information, 506 requests were rejected by it or partial information was provided, i.e. 44% of the requests. The report also indicates that the complex process of submitting freedom of information requests in the municipality, which includes the use of fax or email, as well as paying a fee through offline means, is another barrier to receiving information.
increasing transparency
The State Comptroller recommends that the Haifa Municipality examine the workload of the supervisor and the coordinator in the municipal prosecution department and the amount of applications received per year. Accordingly, it must be examined whether the remaining time allows them to carry out their duties in the field of freedom of information with due attention.
Digital diary management
The municipality is required to introduce diary management in a digital format for the purpose of increasing transparency in the municipality, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Inspection of conduct regarding the sharing of photographed information
The auditor recommends that the municipality of Haifa re-examine its conduct and interpretation of the law regarding the sharing of photographed information, and consult with the government unit on the practice used in this matter.
Improving administrative processes
The auditor recommends that the municipality improve the process of submitting requests for information, including introducing the possibility of paying a fee online, which will make it easier for residents to submit requests for information.
The State Comptroller's report raises critical points for improving the management of freedom of information in Haifa Municipality, with an emphasis on process transparency and improving access to information for residents. The implementation of the recommendations could improve the citizens' experience and promote administrative transparency in the municipality.
A municipality stood still. And don't get confused that it is from the Kalish period. Long ago, from the time of grandfather Yahav, 84 years old, and his 5 lieutenants.
Haifa municipality, what they are interested in is cameras to record parking reports.
From experience with them, there are parasites who come to work and not to work.
Any proposal must be submitted in advance to the state auditor,
and he will approve,
The execution will be after the auditor's approval.
will save many millions…
Not only in the municipality but also in other organizations controlled by him...
Haifa is behind all the other cities in almost every parameter. And who was responsible for the 15-year default?!
I asked the municipality to take care of speed cameras in the neighborhood because Haifa has turned into a car race track. They told me that you would talk to the police, I told them to gather requests throughout the city and bring the police. Do I need to get the police??? They hardly get to murder cases. Insolence and laziness of the municipal employees. I also asked for cameras in playgrounds and they didn't give me an answer at all. All danish games are full of dog shit, payback within 10 minutes.