Real time surveillance on stream to tackle crime – CSSP manager

Manager of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) Clement Henry on Friday announced that the Public Security Ministry will soon be enhancing its surveillance programme to fight crime.

Henry stated that the Ministry was invited on a trip to China in quest to secure smart city technology for the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme. It was in China that the Ministry observed innovative ways to upgrade Guyana’s surveillance system and further develop the Smart City Project, which has been identified as one of the CSSP’s initiatives under the US$15 million loan.

“When the loan was written and the plan was developed for the utilisation of those resources, we had envisioned at that time to just develop a patrol management system,” he said, but added that Minister Kemraj Ramjattan came on board and it was decided that the programme be expanded beyond what they imagined and move toward setting up a smart city programme:

“We accepted the vision and we engaged the Ministry of Public Telecommunications since they would have had the internet backbone and coming out of that engagement is developing a strong partnership activity.”

Henry asserted that the ministry has recognised that there are many issues that relate to public security which require high levels of collaboration and a holistic approach from government. He said that on the quest to upgrade surveillance, the ministry is eyeing real-time surveillance systems, and an improved data and command centre.

“We would require a data centre and a command centre…we saw the benefits of implementing a unified data centre and a unified command centre,” he noted, adding that they have taken the decision to engage the ministry to develop a technical working group, “so that we can advance the implementation of our integrated management and patrol system.”

With the instigation of the technical group, Henry stated, “We would be able to get better surveillance, real-time analysis and response,” along with improved traffic management where mobile units would be able to access the data centre.

Additionally, with the improved quality and quantity of data available and the policy analysis, the ministry, through its Guyana Police Force would be able to respond faster to emergency and non-emergency situations.

Henry stated that the ministry therefore was very pleased with the “possibility of this partnership” with the Public Telecommunications Ministry and China.

When the Smart City Project was launched, Ramjattan had stated that the surveillance technology would enhance law enforcement effectiveness by providing up-to-date information, and supporting the development of proactive operational strategies and intelligence-led tactics.

Local law enforcement officials have been able to use footage from surveillance cameras around the city to assist in investigations into criminal activities; however many persons are critical, stating that the cameras are inferior.

The US$15 million loan is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.