The city police have conducted talks with private parties to prompt them to instal cameras in public areas
As per the plan, the private parties can fix cameras in a junction close to there establishments so that they can secure their business as well as the general public security.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram City Police will increase the number of surveillance cameras in its limits with the help of private parties to enforce law better. As of now, the city police have installed around 280 cameras, but they are planning to double or triple it in the coming months in a bid to ensure that more areas are brought under surveillance.
While the police on its part will install more cameras, they have also conducted talks with private parties to prompt them install cameras in public areas near them so that the police can use the visuals to crack cases.
The necessity for more cameras was more felt during the investigation of the missing Latvian woman.
City Police Commissioner P Prakash said the plan was to extend the surveillance to more areas. “The basic idea is to bring more areas under our surveillance. We are not worried about the number of cameras, rather we are pondering how much area we can cover under this plan,” the commissioner said.
“A meeting was held with several jewellery shop owners and businessmen regarding this. We've requested them to install cameras in the areas close to their establishments so that it's useful to them as well as the public,” he added.
As per the plan, the private parties can fix cameras in a junction close to there establishments so that they can secure their business as well as the general public security. The meeting was hailed as a success by senior police officers who thought with more cameras, it would be better to secure the law and order as well as containing crimes.
However, the city police's effort needs to be complemented by the rural police as most of the notorious criminals have now moved out of the city to the rural parts.
“Earlier there were lot of seasoned criminals, but they've fled the city as we intensified actions against them. Some of them have relocated to the areas that still fall under our jurisdiction. But many have moved out to the rural areas,” Prakash said.
Prakash said being the state capital, it's imperative that Thiruvananthapuram city get a better surveillance cover. “The city has got issues that are political as well as communal in nature and need to be monitored closely,” he felt.
Meanwhile, sources said 10 criminals have been arrested under Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention)Act in the last 45 days.