More CCTV Cameras welcome
With the recent spate of crimes in Suva, the news that more CCTV cameras will be installed is welcome.
Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar made the announcement in Parliament. Other municipal councils, she said, were taking steps to help Police combat drugs and crime with the installation of CCTV cameras.
She was responding to questions by Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya. Images captured by the CCTV cameras help Police track down suspects in criminal activities and reveal the nature of the crimes and the modus operandi.
The cameras also help Police map out crime trends. One of their big assets is that they can act as a deterrent to the criminal elements. When potential criminals know there are cameras in an area, they will think twice before they strike and how they can conceal their identity.
If it involves a lot of work and the risks of getting detected and caught are high they will move to another area.
Criminals today are getting more sophisticated and brazen. Right now, the CCTV cameras stand between them and the victims they target.
For businesses they give them that peace of mind knowing that the cameras keep a surveillance on their properties.
The cameras also monitor 24 hours a day all activities in an area. They also store valuable information in the form of images that can be used as evidence in a crime. They constitute historical records for the businesses and the municipal councils.
They help people make important decisions. The cameras create safer streets, workplaces and business environment. These are the reasons why investment in CCTV cameras is worth it.
Ms Kumar said that the street CCTV cameras were controlled directly by the Fiji Police Force command centres.
The growth of a city or town inevitably brings all kinds of challenges including drugs and crimes. Our cities and towns are not alone in this. It is a worldwide phenomenon. As the urban centres expand because of economic growth, population also increases. The inherent challenges have to be addressed. One aspect is keeping the cities and towns safe. The CCTV camera is an obvious tool to achieve this goal.