After Swathi scare, Triplicane residents pool money for CCTVs

Residents said the cameras installed were high quality with InfraRed (night vision) technology. Along with this, a 24 port HD DVR is used.
After Swathi scare, Triplicane residents pool money for CCTVs

CHENNAI: In the wake of the recent murder of Infosys techie, Swathi at Nungambakkam railway station, a call for installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras grew louder and the Southern Railways was criticised for not having one installed at one of the busiest suburban stations.

Meanwhile, in an instance of public coming together for their own good, residents of SMV Koil Street in Triplicane pooled in money and installed 24 closed circuit television cameras along the half-km-long street. Around 200 families pooled in  about `2.5 lakh for installing the cameras and also sponsored other equipment such as Digital Video Recorders (DVR).

The CCTVs were inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mylapore, V Balakrishnan, at an event on Sunday evening. Stressing the importance of CCTV cameras, the Deputy Commissioner said, “To help both the police and public, for a crimeless and peaceful society we need electronics because 24/7 protection to everyone is difficult.”

The DCP was of the opinion that mere installation of cameras was not enough and it was imperative to install cameras at right places, at right angles and the quality of the camera and maintenance post-installation were  important.

Residents said the cameras installed were high quality with InfraRed (night vision) technology. Along with this, a 24 port HD DVR is used.

“Even though a camera can cover up to 40 m, we have installed a camera for every 20m,” said Sundaramoorthy, a resident.

Police personnel told the residents that they had planned to verify the footage every 20 days as the footage can be stored for 20-25 days. 

“We have installed the cameras to make everyone feel safe and to make them self-disciplined,” said D. Satish Kumar, secretary of SMV Kovil residents’ welfare association formed only 7 months ago.

According to the residents, repeated occurrence of thefts and chain-snatching has pushed them to install CCTV cameras throughout the street, which has more than two entrances.

“The very thought of being under surveillance would make people disciplined,” said Sathish Kumar.

Police personnel who were present during the event welcomed the move. “It saves a lot our time as we do not have to chase false leads,” a police personnel said.

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