The Cayman Islands has embarked on installing 300 CCTVs in locations across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac within the next few years. The system has been designed based on current crime patterns and the topography of the islands.
The four types of cameras to be used in the Cayman Islands include fixed-angle, pan/tilt/zoom cameras, automatic license plate readers and speed cameras. The latter two are specifically aimed at vehicular traffic.
Where traffic is concerned, a police database containing the license plate numbers of stolen vehicles or wanted vehicles, in the case of one of the aforementioned, once a vehicle crosses a certain main road with an automated number plate reader camera, an alarm will automatically be triggered in the 911 Center and Police will be able to track the vehicle and thereby alerting police patrols to cut it off at another intersection and apprehend the persons inside.
In order to protect civil liberties, a code of practice will guide the usage of the CCTV until formal legislation has been drafted and enacted into law.
The cameras will be passively monitored and once Police are notified of an incident taking place, they can assist first responders in real-time by viewing the cameras in that specific area where the incident is taking place.
The CCTV is seen as a very important tool in the fight against crime. CCTVs do not have any friends or relatives to protect and don't have any faulty memories. It has been felt by experts that just the knowledge that the cameras are there watching, this should act as a deterrent for criminal activity.
The Manchester Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica embarked upon a CCTV Crime Initiative project to install the closed-circuit television cameras at the Manchester Police station. The cameras are manned by trained police personnel on a 24-hourrs per day basis.
The cameras' locations in the Manchester neighbourhood are known only to the operations team, which is able to scan a wide range and zoom in, magnifying suspect actions, objects and individuals who are being observed.
CCTV video surveillance has played a major role in society in various countries to fight and prevent local as well as international crime. I believe that the CCTV project that has been spearheaded by the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce will make a positive impact on the island in the fight against crime once a policy on its proper use and expansion has been drafted and the funds have been secured to execute the project. One is probably looking at a phased implementation over a period of time.
Perhaps the tourist district areas will be the first to be monitored by CCTV followed by residential districts where crime is prevalent. An investment into the latter should be made as soon as possible.
CCTV video systems have a proven track record in deterring crime, helping civilians feel much safer, provide the police with leads or evidence as well as improve the surroundings of a crime-stricken neighbourhood. The entire community will be looking forward to these being installed.
Roddy Heyliger
