City police will focus more on CCTV cameras

Visakhapatnam: As a step towards reducing the crime rate in Visakhapatnam, the city police intends to further intensify its surveillance. In line with this, the city police have decided to increase the number of CCTV cameras, which play a vital role in crime detection. Along with private shops, CCTV cameras will also be installed in places where there is high movement of people. Focusing on this, City Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi focused on installing CCTV cameras in all commercial shops across the city. Since Visakhapatnam district is considered the financial hub of Andhra Pradesh, crime control is being given top priority by the city police. Under this, City Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi called a meeting with the members of commercial shops in the city. The CP explained to them that CCTV cameras come in handy in detecting crimes and criminals do not get much chance to escape. As per the Andhra Pradesh Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act-2013, CCTVs should be installed in shops and residential premises for public safety. Installation of CCTV cameras plays a vital role in cities like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. As per the Act, places having footfall of 100 or more people at a time including commercial establishments, industries, religious places, educational institutions and hospitals are mandated to install CCTV cameras. The Commissioner of Police held a meeting with the owners, managers/persons operating various commercial premises/shops falling under the purview of the Police Commissionerate. While interacting with them, he made it clear that the entry and exit points of commercial premises/shops, parking areas should be put under closed circuit television surveillance. CCTV cameras should be installed with the facility to store video footage for 30 days and the footage should be preserved. The technical equipment should comply with the specifications notified by the government. Necessary measures should be taken for the safety of people visiting their establishment. Circle inspectors have the right to inspect premises under their jurisdiction at any time without any prior notice. If any lapse or violation is found, a report will be submitted to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and the management will be served a notice. Around 2,300 cameras are connected to the command control room in Visakhapatnam. Besides, there are more than 30,000 cameras present in various private properties. If every commercial unit is equipped with CCTV cameras, criminals will not be able to escape after committing a crime.