Defective cameras at state buildings need oversight
Non-functioning Close Circuit Television (CCTV) at a parliamentarian's residence and within the state's Criminal Investigation Department raise concerns about the lack of maintenance of crucial devices used in detecting crimes and suspicious activities.
Anuradhapura lawmaker Uddika Premaratne escaped unhurt when unidentified gunmen in a van shot at his vehicle. Unfortunately, the CCTV at the MP's residence and neighbouring houses were non-functional.
Similarly, CCTV at the CID has been non-functional for some time and there is no video footage of the recent failed escape attempt of a notorious drug kingpin and underworld suspect Nadun Chinthaka alias "Harak Kata".
Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said that due to repairs to the CID headquarters building some CCTVs had been removed, while some were not functional.
"Fixing issues with the existing CCTV, installation, and maintenance in state institutions is time-consuming as there is a need to obtain estimates and approval," he said.
Regarding the MP's shooting incident, SSP Thalduwa said it would have been easier for investigators to detect the vehicle number or recognise the gunmen if there was video evidence.
"Lack of knowledge regarding maintenance, shortage of technicians and cost factors are often the reasons for the failure in keeping CCTV functional in many residences," he said.
M.W. Jayasundara, Professor in Criminology at Sri Jayawardenepura University, said that both globally and locally, CCTV was being used to reduce and detect crimes and criminals, locate suspicious movements, provide leads for investigators and help to reduce thefts.
"Unfortunately there is no monitoring body to ensure the CCTV systems in crucial Government institutions are functioning without technical faults. At least there should be a technical team within the institution. It becomes highly suspicious when these kinds of institutions say their CCTV is not operating as most criminals first attempt to dismantle the CCTV system," he said. Prof. Jayasundara said VIPs should make sure their security teams are on alert for CCTVs installed in their residences and offices. "Some residents with CCTVs are reluctant to get into a case involving a crime, or in fear that police officers will remove the recordings as video evidence and be called for court cases that could drag on for years," he said.
However, SSP Thalduwa said that only a statement would be obtained from the resident that CCTV footage was taken as a part of video evidence for an investigation.