Even more camera surveillance in the city for extra security

Mangaluru: The CC cameras installed in and around the city provided much assistance to the police in solving the mystery behind the murder of Shreemathi Shetty, a resident of Amar Alva road near Mangaladevi. In this backdrop, the police department is planning to install even more good quality CC cameras at even more locations in the city.

Mangaluru city limits are expanding and the crowd of people and vehicle density is increasing by the year. Also, many people are arriving from other states in connection to jobs and staying in the city. Besides, thousands of people arrive to the city daily for various works. CC cameras will be essential in maintaining surveillance on all of them. Tree branches hindering the vision of the cameras at certain locations have already been chopped off.

Along with the department, businessmen and retailers have also installed CC cameras at their buildings and homes which provide assistance in crime investigation.

Action against traffic rule violation

Close to 100 CC cameras have been installed at junctions including PVS, Bunts Hostel, Jyothi circle, Hampankatta, Clock Tower circle, State Bank, Pumpwell, Mallikatte, Kankanady, Lalbhag, Bejai, Kadri, Nanthoor, Hamilton Circle and other places.

Four to five cameras have been installed at prominent junctions. These cameras are used to keep a watch on any traffic rule violation based on which action is taken against the errant. Besides, these cameras also provide much required assistance during the investigation of crimes.

Shreemathi Shetty case

CC camera footage proved vital in nabbing the accused in the sensational murder of Shreemathi Shetty. The CC cameras of a petrol bunk opposite Kadri Park along NH 66 had captured footage of the accused disposing off the head and torso of the victim in a gunny bag near a roadside fruit shop located here in the dead of the night after having murdered her earlier in the morning.

In the same way, CC cameras spread in the city captured footage of the victim leaving her home to her shop in the morning. Making use of these clues, the police managed to capture the accused within four days of having committed the crime.

Brochure distributed spreading awareness

Brochures have already been distributed with the aim to spread awareness regarding the installation of CC cameras and their uses. The department has thought continue this work even more effectively in the coming days.

Compulsory rule

As per the Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act 2017, all commercial buildings, bus stands, educational institutions, multi-floor buildings, residential conclaves and offices must compulsorily install CC cameras. The state government has already notified that CC cameras must be compulsorily installed at all government and private association, institutions which provide public service or were larger number of people gather and in front of shops and stores.

In case CC cameras have not been installed, the police will send a notice to the owner of such a building and the owner may also attract fines. On failure to pay the fine, the license of the building will be cancelled by notifying the local administration.

Currently, there are more than a thousand CC cameras installed in the city by owners’ themselves. From the safety and security point of view, the people must follow this rule and by themselves installed CC cameras and make it convenient for the police. Amidst this, the police department has come forward to initiate strict action against those who have not followed the rule.

CC cameras at strategic locations

On Thursday, a team from “Udayavani” attempted to check the reality behind the installation of CC cameras at prominent junctions for the safety of the people. It was observed that CC cameras have been installed at many strategic locations in the city. At some places, care has been taken to install 5-6 CC cameras to collect footage from all corners. However, the police department needs to regularly check if the cameras are functional, if they are of good quality and if they can capture effective footage during the night. There are complaints being heard among the public that CC cameras installed at certain locations are dysfunctional. The department needs to take notice of this.

Instructions from home minister

Last year, during a meeting conducted at the police office, the then home minister Ramalinga Reddy had instructed compulsory installation of CC cameras at strategic locations in the city to maintain an eye against those conducting illegal activity including hooliganism. Besides, the city must be made into a peace-loving city.

CC cameras at even more locations

“CC cameras have been installed at important junctions in the city as a security measure for the city. CC cameras will be installed at even more strategic locations in the city in the coming days,” informed Sandeep Patil, City Police Commissioner