Tegueste’s CCTV Fine Controversy Raises Legal and Ethical Questions

A resident of Tegueste, Tenerife, has voiced serious concerns regarding fines issued for parking violations captured by CCTV, bringing to light significant issues of transparency and legality in the enforcement process.

Issues of Notification and Evidence

Félix, the concerned resident, received an 80-euro fine for allegedly parking incorrectly on El Carmen street on October 1, 2024. While he expressed his willingness to pay the penalty, having already settled half of the fine at 40 euros, his primary grievance lies in the lack of clarity surrounding the notification process. Instead of receiving immediate notification from a police officer at the time of the alleged violation, Félix was surprised to receive a notice two months later, which informed him that the violation had been identified through video evidence.

This delayed notification left Félix feeling bewildered and frustrated. He sought to understand the legality of the fine and criticized the absence of clear signage indicating the presence of surveillance cameras in the area. For Félix, it is unacceptable to penalize individuals without proper notification and transparency regarding the monitoring systems in place. In an effort to address his concerns, he submitted an appeal to the Tegueste Town Hall on January 31, but after ten months, he has yet to receive a response, further exacerbating his frustration.

Legal Implications of the CCTV System

To mitigate the financial burden of the fine, Félix opted to pay the reduced amount within the stipulated timeframe. However, he is now questioning whether the fine was issued lawfully and if the actions of the council represent an overreach of authority. He pointed out that anyone can operate as a sole trader and justify parking in a loading and unloading zone, even without transporting goods, which raises questions about the fairness of the enforcement.

Félix also highlighted a critical issue: the absence of a link to view or download the footage that led to his fine. He believes this lack of access further compromises citizens’ rights and raises concerns about the transparency of the process. He fears that the absence of clear guidelines may indicate either a focus on revenue generation or a general indifference from the municipal authorities. Additionally, he inquired about the operational status of the image capture system and the lack of signage to inform the public, which is a common practice in many other regions.

Government Response and Union Concerns

In response to the growing concerns, the Mayor of Tegueste, Norberto Padilla, defended the legality of the CCTV system in a recent statement to El Día. He noted that while the system was temporarily suspended at the beginning of 2025, it is set to be reactivated with the addition of six new cameras in various locations. This initiative, which began in the latter half of 2024, aims to enhance traffic control and regulation in the area.

Padilla emphasized that the system has been effective in addressing traffic violations and assured the public that appropriate signage will be installed in monitored areas, directly addressing Félix’s concerns. He revealed that approximately 200 fines had been issued through this mechanism within a four-month timeframe, indicating a significant reliance on this technology for law enforcement.

However, not everyone is convinced of the legality of the CCTV fines. Jesús Illada, a representative of the SCIF union for the Local Police of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, raised doubts about the validity of the fines issued through this system. He stated that any evidence obtained through audiovisual means must comply with regulations set by the Spanish Meteorological Centre to ensure the validity of the recordings. Illada referenced previous rulings from the Supreme Court regarding similar cases, indicating that without proper certification, the fines could be deemed invalid, raising further questions about the enforcement practices of the local government.

Key points

• A resident received an 80-euro fine for parking violations captured by CCTV in Tegueste.
• The fine notification arrived two months after the alleged violation, causing confusion.
• The local government plans to reactivate the CCTV system with additional cameras for traffic monitoring.
• Concerns have been raised about the legality and transparency of the CCTV fines.
• The Mayor assured that appropriate signage will be installed in monitored areas.
• Union representatives question the validity of fines due to lack of compliance with regulatory standards.