Criminals in Penang, beware
State may soon install ‘eyes’ on the streets
GEORGE TOWN: Penang may be the first state in the country to install a face recognition camera system on the streets to detect and track down criminals.
The cameras, operated in public places, will identify individuals and a linked computer system will then run through the person’s criminal records.
Police would then be alerted if the person was a “wanted” suspect, said Penang police chief Comm Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan.
He added, however, that the idea was still in the preliminary stage of planning and would require collaboration with the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council.
“Criminals coming to Penang beware, we will be watching you.
“Computers will run through their past records and alert the police if there are any suspicious activities,” Thaiveegan warned in his speech before opening the Royal Malaysian Police’s Innovation Day 2018 at Universiti Sains Malaysia here yesterday.
At a press conference later, Thaiveegan said the idea “just started rolling” and that the decision would be announced in six months’ time.
Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, who was also present, said various teams in the police force nationwide had completed a threeday programme to showcase their latest inventions and innovations.
“The junior officers were able to come up with various ideas that can help improve our existing systems.
“Their successful innovations and inventions will not only benefit the police, but the public as well,” he said before handing out prizes to teams under various categories.