QUEPEM: The 63 CCTV cameras in Curchorem and eight in Quepem markets installed under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds due to lack of maintenance are out of order and facilitating increase in robberies, thefts and murders in these areas.
Quepem Municipal Council Chairperson Suchita Shirwaikar said Quepem Deputy Collector had called a special meeting regarding non-functioning of CCTV cameras. Decision is likely to be taken as early as possible for installation of new CCTV cameras.
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Quepem Police Station Police Inspector Deepak Pednekar said that higher authority has given directions to us to create awareness of installing CCTV cameras in the jurisdiction.
The PI said, “In the Quepem jurisdiction, the police station has received letters from seven panchayats and one municipality regarding the installation of the CCTV cameras.”
He added that they are repeatedly following up on this matter for the last five months. Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council Chairperson Vishwas Sawant Desai said, “Some of the CCTV cameras which were installed earlier are non-functional, some damaged and some installed on the electric poles are removed.”
“Direction was given by Curchorem Police Station for new installation of CCTV cameras and on that the council is trying its bestto get funds from the government,” he added.
He further said that if the municipality get funds from the 14th and 15th Finance fund it is well and good.
Curchorem Police Inspector Ravi Desai agreed that the CCTV cameras in Curchorem market area are not functioning.
He said that the CCTVs will help to detect crime and for that we have already taken an initiative to inform the Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council and the local bodies such as the panchayats, which come under Curchorem Police Station jurisdiction.
“Around 15 different locations in Curchorem and Sanvordem have been identified for installation of CCTV cameras. CCTV camera at Ambedkar Chowk, Curchorem is out of order,” the PI added
Quepem local Franky Fernandes said, “Today, the CCTV is a core component in an overall security strategy as it helps to monitor and deter crime. However, its functions are even more powerful when integrated with other traditional security solutions such as access control, remote management tools and emergency communication systems. Today robbery, theft and murder have increased in the State.”
A Tilamol-Curchorem local James Fernandes mentioned that the security cameras are playing a key role in the drive to smarter towns and the burgeoning industrial internet of things.
