Security is not just about the manned variety. Right tehcnology could complement and become a force multiplier. Machilipatnam, the Krishna district administrative headquarters, spread in an area of 26.67 sq. km. is getting under a blanket of camera surveillance system and how.
The surveillance system is meant for providing round the clock security for people, tracking crimes, particularly missing cases, apart from the regularization of the road traffic system.
As two national highways pass through the heart of the port town - Gudiwada-Ongole and Machilipatnam-Hyderabad highways - it is a huge volume of traffic. The scale of maritime trade from the Gilakaladindi Harbour in the town also demands a robust surveillance system in place in to strengthen coastal security.
Everywhere you go, every move you make
According to Krishna District Police statistics, about 250 surveillance cameras have already been installed, and all of them are being monitored by the police from the Central Monitoring System at the District Police Grounds in Machilipatnam.
“The entire geographical area of the district headquarters and port town of Machilipatnam is under our watch, registering the movements of every vehicle and people 24x7, as a part of guaranteeing security and vigil,” Krishna District Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Ravindranath Babu told The Hindu.
The SP has pointed out that every nook and corner could not be followed round the clock manually and there comes the advantage of technology, and the surveillance system.
“Recently, movements of some minor girls who went missing from their houses in the night were traced based on the surveillance cameras in those locations. Such clues serve as better evidence for investigation,” a senior police official said.
Since early 2018, the State government’s AP State Fiber Limited has granted above 115 surveillance cameras while 150 more cameras were donated by the public and different groups. Matrix, an agency, is maintaining the surveillance system as per the agreement signed with the State government.
Sharp focus
Till now, five types of surveillance cameras have been installed iin the town. At least 40 Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras are capturing the data of vehicles’ numbers that pass on the roads.
Other surveillance cameras include: Red Light Violation Detection Cameras (4), Face Recognition Cameras (20) that recognizes the persons whose data is sought by the police at the monitoring system, video cameras that store video footage of the respective area and Pan Tilt Zone cameras.
Community policing
In a community participation initiative, individuals, groups, and some business establishments have also donated surveillance cameras which were installed in R.Peta police limits (27), Chilakalapudi (13), Inaguduru (25), Machilipatnam town (12) and Bandar Taluk (38).
“We have installed a pair of CC cameras at our imitation jewellery sales unit near Laxmi Theatre. Many times police have relied on our data to trace thefts, including bikes. The facility has also made our job easy to keep a vigil on our products and customers,” said Thota Subbu, proprietor, Usha Gold. The cost? Rs. 20,000.
Keeping houses safe
According to Mr. Ravindranath Babu, fresh guidelines have been issued to apartment owners, and all business units to instal surveillance cameras in their areas. “Our residence is located adjacent to a public place. We have installed CC cameras to avoid robbery of our belongings and vehicles. It covers residences of my relatives too making us feel safe,” said Nukala Suresh, a resident of Zilla Parishad area.
“More cameras of all categories will soon be installed in the district headquarters and a dedicated team has been constituted to monitor the progress,” said Mr. Ravindranath Babu.
