Cops want CCTV cameras on pvt premises to watch streets

The city police want private establishments, commercial buildings and residential areas to instal CCTV cameras to ensure round-the-clock surveillance of the streets too.

The police said tracing the killers of RSS activist Rudresh would have been easy had there been CCTV cameras on Kamaraj Road.

The city will get 600 more surveillance cameras which would be installed in areas where there is high density of vehicles and people. “There are plans to use technology to keep the city under surveillance. The CCTV cameras will play a major role in recording events which would later help in providing leads or evidence to crack criminal cases,’’ a senior police officer said. According to him, surveillance cameras will act as a deterrent to unlawful activities.

“We want people to take responsibility in installing CCTV cameras on their premises. Residences, including apartments, should also instal surveillance cameras. Before installing cameras, they can approach the police on placing the cameras in strategic locations. At least one camera should cover the street,” added the officer. The CCTV footage can provide vital clues to nab culprits.

City police commissioner N S Megharikh told DH, “We had discussed with the department concerned about the need to have more surveillance cameras in the city. Right now, there are around 220 cameras at different points in the central business district. As the city is growing, there should be round-the-clock vigil. It is not possible to have police on their toes all the time. So, technology, like surveillance cameras and other equipment, should be used.”