Carnival revelers can once again enjoy annual street jump up this year with the comfort of knowing that the police and Close Circuit Televisions Cameras (CCTV) are looking out for troublemakers who might want to ruin their fun.
CCTV was first introduced last year, and according to the Managing Director of Platinum Security, Kihmo Astaphan, it was a success and this year more cameras will be installed around the city of Roseau.
“Last year was tremendous. We got great success for the first time in the history of Dominica and in a long time, I may add, we had an incident free carnival without any major incidents as related and as reported by the police last year,” he said.
He said additional cameras will be added in “blind spots” this year.
Astaphan told DNO that last year between 11 to 12 cameras were used but the number is increasing to 15 to 18 this year.
He said the price tab is also increasing from $60,000 last year.
Meanwhile Assistant Superintendent, Richmond Valentine, said the cameras “greatly assisted” the police last year and is happy the they are back again this year.
“So we can pretty much say we have our eyes on the ground and we are going to have the eyes of the technological eyes,” he stated.
He noted that cameras assisted the police as a crime deterrent and helped them shorten their response time to an incident.
The venture is a collaboration between Platinum Security the government, the Police Force and LIME Dominica.
Astaphan said present technicians are presently installing the cameras and ensuring the system is working.
Last year talk show host, Angelo Allen, created a firestorm of controversy when he denounced the installation of the cameras saying they were “an invasion of the rights of the people” and the people were not consulted before they were installed.
Way to go Kihmo that’s an amazing project I hope the GOD and the police force can work with you and take this venture a bit further into other events like the WCMF. Thumbs up great job keeping our ppl safe
Note to the Government, the department of securities if there is one and if there isn’t one then it should be created, why don’t you invest in these cameras and permanently place them in the city and other areas where by every time for this season all this overhead cost will not be incurred?
RICHMOND..thats the best you can do in terms of the English language as assistant superintendent…we are going to have the eyes of the technological eyes????we are going to have the technological eyes would be the correct wording..come on Richmond the world is reading..
I agree we need cameras all year round. It’s important to note that cameras cannot by itself stop a crime but however can aid in the investigation. The fact that this is being allowed to be erected for the second year means the first years was successful. Good job Platinum, Lime, the Police and the Government. CCTV a has been known to play an integral role in the past Boston bombers just an example. I am all for CCTV in Dominica as I have nothing to hide do U? Keep up the good work Kihmo and your team and God bless !
And what ever is caught is inadmissible in court? So ummmmmm?
lol I know right arkiyic laws #policestate
@OneDestiny, one should never assume the right to privacy when in a public place. And yes, if you are caught committing a crime on the cctv cameras that should be admissible in court. Why are we as a so called law abiding society so anti-policing. There should be no tolerance for violence especially during Carnival. WE need to also invest in a mobile lock-up unit.
One Love Dominicans and May God continue to Bless this Commonwealth of Dominica!!!!
These cameras surely will be the best evidence to identify the troublemakers, I can’t believe some people saying these cameras are the invasion of the right of the people you guys are insane,You guys trying to courage these troublemakers to create violence, folks surveillance cameras saved many lives, when some folks plan to act a serious crime once they realize there’s cameras they change their mind.
Up to the times!!
They are needed all the time not only at carnival time.
Many of these fools cant control there alcohol intake and becomes a menace to society.Carnival is a time to reflect on our ancestors whom suffered from the slave masters,so this is time to be with friends and family enjoying our freedom,but may fools choose to cause harm to each other.Great job on the cctvs.
Before we jump to conclusions in regards to Mr. Alleyne’s statements it would be prudent of us to clarify the context in which Mr. Angelo Alleyne’s comments were made.