In view of the rising threat perception for cities across the country, the city police are embarking on a proposal to scale up the CCTV camera network in the city and enhance its round-the-clock surveillance systems.
Officials said plans are afoot to increase the number of CCTV cameras at various points across the city, in addition to the existing ones at various vantage points. “The proposal is before the State Home Department and action will be taken when the requisite concurrence is received. An assessment about the places where the cameras need to be set up is being worked out,” said K.G. James, city police commissioner.
P.K. Hormis Tharakan, former head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), said that intelligent deployment of cameras was a key factor in enhancing the surveillance system for cities like Kochi. “This should be supported with a suitable video analytics technology so that the police could raise an alarm in case of a suspicious movement. Besides, the authorities should also make sure that the equipments are maintained well,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, official sources said that several cameras in locations where the metro rail work was going on have been removed and plans were afoot to re-locate them to alternative locations as soon as possible. “Those cameras placed in the middle of the road had to be removed as pillars of the metro rail were coming up. This has not hampered the security scene so far but we are not taking any chances,” they explained.
Alongside, steps are also being taken to repair or replace the non-functional cameras in the present set of cameras in the city. Presently, the police operate a set of about 400-odd cameras at various locations, including suburbs such as Tripunithura and Cheranalloor.
