Cameras To Be Installed In The City

[SeanD]

The city of Colombo will come under tight police surveillance from next month (July) with the installation of security cameras on certain main roads and at junctions.

Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne told The Island yesterday that a private company has been contracted to install the security cameras in prominent places in Colombo.

"One hundred and twenty one cameras will be installed, and we have already decided on 28 places where they will be placed. There will also be a central monitoring station manned by qualified Police personnel who will be in radio contact," Navaratne said. He declined to reveal further details.

Traffic offenses and criminal activities will come under surveillance through these cameras.

http://www.island.lk/2010/06/11/news14.html

Might not be such a bad thing, as it would prevent corrupt cops from fabricating stories about "cutting the line" etc. Though it would be better if they also installed infra-red sensors so that traffic lights will work around the clock, and will work based on how much traffic is actually moving towards them.

[Watchman]

Expensive cameras fitted around the city.. hmm.. so who's gonna provide secutity for the security cameras from our beloved Sri Lankans.

As good as it dounss, how long will the cameras be around considerng we cant even have a manhole-cover safe from junkies!

From what Mr. nawaratne says doesnt sounds like its been completely throught through. IMO the better way to go around executing this would be to first run a pilot project in one area like townhall junction or some congested area, and then spread it to other parts of the city. Placing cameras at random places doesnt seem too smart.

Its like he saw a die-hard movie or some action movie and thought "hmmmm thats cool! i wanna have one too"...

I guess only time will tell...

[gunat]

"Traffic offenses and criminal activities will come under surveillance through these cameras"

I'd like to see the cops catch their own for driving recklessly, making illegal moves on the road...let alone the very regular violations made by trishaws, buses, etc.

That said, wonder if such systems will be recorded etc...AND if the evidence can be requested by Citizen X for defense/proof.

[Pericles]

I give it two weeks before the buses and lorries demolish the cameras like they demolish the signal light poles (and doing their best to demolish the railings on the side of the Dehiwela flyover), the "qualified" police forget about it, the radio circuits fail, and the whole thing fizzles out. Of course, by this time, the private company has been paid (and probably disbanded) and all involved minister, deputy minister, politicians of all sorts and senior police would have pocketed their chunk of change and will forget about it.

Yes, I am a skeptic.

[SeanD]

I give it two weeks before the buses and lorries demolish the cameras like they demolish the signal light poles (and doing their best to demolish the railings on the side of the Dehiwela flyover), the "qualified" police forget about it, the radio circuits fail, and the whole thing fizzles out. Of course, by this time, the private company has been paid (and probably disbanded) and all involved minister, deputy minister, politicians of all sorts and senior police would have pocketed their chunk of change and will forget about it.

Yes, I am a skeptic.

Even this eternal optimist thinks you're just about right

[VVTi]

I give it two weeks before the buses and lorries demolish the cameras like they demolish the signal light poles (and doing their best to demolish the railings on the side of the Dehiwela flyover), the "qualified" police forget about it, the radio circuits fail, and the whole thing fizzles out. Of course, by this time, the private company has been paid (and probably disbanded) and all involved minister, deputy minister, politicians of all sorts and senior police would have pocketed their chunk of change and will forget about it.

Yes, I am a skeptic.

You nailed it on the head!

[kotte mafia]

seriously this is the truth about the project .. some one seems to be in need of money and has a load of CCTV cameras which is not really working ....