The 345 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in Phase One of the Cities and Roadways Surveillance System CCTV Project play a key role in crime fighting due to their high evidentiary value and deterrent factor. Phase One covers Basseterre and its environs.
“A number of serious crimes [including robberies, break-ins and larcenies] has been solved directly as a result of video footages produced by these cameras,” says the Final Report on the CCTV Surveillance Project (Phase One).
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It adds: “Images produced by these cameras have provided useful information in a number of shooting incidents.”
The Final Report on the CCTV Surveillance Project (Phase One), written by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Osmond Petty, was prepared with input from the Telecommunications Department and the Violent Crimes Unit of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
The report attributes the decrease in serious crimes to the Taiwanese-funded EC$5.25 million project, noting that, “There has been a significant reduction in the commission of serious crimes (homicides and non-fatal shootings) in areas where the cameras are installed, thus underscoring the project’s proactive and deterrent value to crime fighting.”
It goes on to note that, “Gun-related crimes dropped from 33 in 2016 to 19 in 2017 or 42%; while at the end of June 2018, the number of incidents stood at 5 as compared with 10 for the corresponding period last year, a 50% decline.”
The report says continuous monitoring of the cameras assists the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in determining the truthfulness of alleged claims and in responding to incidents, such as fights and verbal confrontations, thus preventing their escalation.
“The installation of these cameras has allowed for the utilization of Police manpower resources in other areas not covered by this project, thus expanding the presence of the Police,” the report also notes.
The cameras are powered by VIVOTEK, the leading network surveillance solutions provider in Taiwan.
