The failure of CCTV cameras to give clear images of the killing of investigative journalist J Dey has once again raised concerns about the poor quality of ‘hawk eyes’ installed in the city.
The failure of CCTV cameras to give clear images of the killing of investigative journalist J Dey has once again raised concerns about the poor quality of ‘hawk eyes’ installed in the city.
Crime branch officials investigating the case have claimed that the images are hazy, grainy, and dark (due to the heavy rain at the time of the incident), making it practically impossible to identify the accused or note down their physical features. The sleuths are now left with no choice but to go for the “generally unreliable” method of preparing sketches based on the descriptions given by a few eyewitnesses.
According to electronic security experts, the number of CCTVs installed in the city is inadequate. They say the demand for CCTV cameras is increasing, but people tend to think about the price instead of the security aspect. “Locals in an area install CCTVs on the request of the local police, and the police force assists them,” says deputy commissioner of police Nisar Tamboli.
Post the 26/11 terror attacks, the administration decided to install over 2,000 CCTVs in the city. However, monetary reasons are said to have stalled the process. The cheapest CCTV camera comes at a price of Rs500, while the best in terms of quality is available at a price of Rs25,000 per piece. Smaller cities like Bangalore, Chandigarh, Bharuch and Jaipur have better CCTV coverage, say experts.
Sudhir Badami, a transport expert, says: “The CCTVs installed in the city are generally for the purpose of traffic management and not surveillance. For surveillance, the police need to spend a lot of money.”
The police urge local residents and shop owners to install CCTVs in their area. However, the response has not been encouraging, claim police officials. A senior police officer says: “The response is poor. Citizens tend to think we are pressurising them to spend on CCTVs because we stand to profit somehow.”
Pramoud Rao, managing director, Zicom Electronic Security Ltd, which had installed CCTVs at Common Wealth Games venues, says, “The CCTV technology available in India is at par with that in developed countries. But people here go for the cheaper ones.”
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