According to a proposal by the mayor, Basílio Horta (PS), approved at the previous private executive meeting and accessed by Lusa, the "initiation of an international public tender for the acquisition of an urban video surveillance system for €3.8 million (plus VAT)" was authorized, including active connection and CCTV (closed-circuit television) equipment, image recording equipment, and servers.

The project will consist of the supply and installation of 144 video cameras, including perpetual licensing, assembly of the entire system with dedicated power supply, and configuration of servers, operator stations, and a video wall.

In addition to the fiber optic network, hybrid cable, and power grids, along with the solution architecture, redundancies, and encrypted transmissions, a construction project for the entire infrastructure, software, and licenses must also be included, allowing for simultaneous recording consultation and extraction.

The equipment will have to ensure video analytics, with operator alerts, identification of people flow, signalling of defined objects (bladed and firearm weapons, among others) and immobile people, detection of potential risk situations, and gatherings of people and vehicles in prohibited areas or directions.

The process will also include contracting communications services for the PSP police station in Rio de Mouro and the PSP's Lisbon Metropolitan Command (Cometlis), providing exclusive use of the video surveillance system for three years, as well as equipment and software maintenance for the same period.

The municipality will oversee the work, decide on the exemption from fees for occupying public roads of approximately €33,000, and authorize the use of fiber optic ducts at intersections, crossings, and roundabouts.

The 144 locations with a history of incidents to be monitored by video surveillance were identified as part of local security contracts by the PSP command in Sintra, Algueirão-Mem Martins, Agualva-Cacém, Monte Abraão, Queluz, and Rio de Mouro.

Based on market consultations, it is estimated that €2.583 million (including VAT) will be invested in the first three years (until 2027), and €1.2 million (including VAT) will be invested in the following three years, including corrective and evolutionary maintenance, the proposal states.

The control center will operate at the Rio de Mouro PSP police station, which is currently undergoing a project to improve and adapt its facilities to house viewing, research, and planning rooms, as well as the microdata center, costing €157,000 (plus VAT), with a redundancy for Cometlis.

The proposal was approved by a majority, with Councillor Pedro Ventura (CDU) voting against. He explained in a statement to Lusa that he opposes the installation of video surveillance because he believes that cameras "do not prevent crime from happening" and advocates, as an alternative, the adoption of "community policing measures."

The mayor, responsible for City Intervention and Urban Rehabilitation, added that he opposes initiatives that promote "a security state" and noted that the cameras will be installed near train stations that require renovations to improve the safety and convenience of users, particularly in Portela de Sintra, Algueirão-Mem Martins, and Queluz.

"As you know, I'm not a fan of electronic surveillance," which "is useful in places where crime is high," the mayor admitted at a previous public meeting. He denied that this is the case in Sintra and argued that it is yet another measure to be added to the security forces, but that when it "dispenses with the police and security forces, sometimes it is not only not useful but even harmful."