The announcement was made during a council meeting, where Civil Protection Councillor Luís Lopes stated the expansion will include areas under the jurisdiction of the National Republican Guard (GNR), with around 38 new cameras expected to be installed.

AI-powered features will allow for real-time alerts triggered by unusual activities – such as individuals running in restricted zones – or keywords like “fire” or “help” being detected by audio sensors. The system may also support facial recognition and license plate identification. The municipality aims to have AI fully integrated by the end of the year.

The investment is projected to be around €75,000 for every 50 cameras per server, and may require replacing older units. New sensors will be included to detect changes in lighting, temperature, and other environmental factors.

A joint assessment by the Public Security Police (PSP) and GNR has identified schools most in need of surveillance based on the student population and vulnerable access points. The cameras will be installed gradually, focusing on pedestrian and vehicular entryways. Some of the existing 61 cameras already cover school areas, though repositioning or additional units will be necessary.

In GNR-patrolled zones, ten new cameras are planned across six strategic locations, such as highways, isolated areas, or public landmarks. This system will be coordinated with GNR’s forest surveillance network.

Overall, the initiative could represent a €1 million investment, pending approval from the National Data Protection Commission – a process that previously took nearly two years.