Presiding over a meeting with theatre owners and their representatives, Inspector General and Commissioner of Police Sanjay Mathur said here on Wednesday that from security point of view and in public interest, the police have proposed to watch movements of people visiting cinema halls and among other public places.
By installing cameras, the police could be pro-active in taking action against anti-socials and others who indulged in illegal acts. There were cases of misbehaviour by some public in theatres. To take firm action against such law offenders, cameras would come in handy.
“If there were complaints of nuisance due to drunken behaviour or acts like eve-teasing, information to the police control room is sufficient…we will take swift action,” Mr. Mathur asserted.
Similarly, a review of the video recordings would help the police to look for suspects or people who visited cinema halls to escape from the eyes of police. This would discourage criminals from entering cinema halls and on the other hand, public need not have apprehension about strangers since they get noticed with the presence of cameras, he added.
Representing the cinema owners, its association president Annamalai said that in the city, out of the 18 cinema houses, nearly 50 per cent of them had installed the CCTVs, while the rest would also follow suit within a month’s time. The theatre owners’ assured all support to the police and requested that patrol teams may be deployed to the theatres during the exit of public after the night show. This would avoid any trouble at odd hours.
The Commissioner agreed to the request and after examining the modalities, the police presence would be there at the theatres. The police stations concerned would be instructed to keep an eye on movement of public. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) R. Thirunavukarasu participated.
