CCTV to Assist Policing in Montego Bay

The Area One police now have improved watch over the city of Montego Bay, with the official acquisition of a Closed Circuit Television Surveillance System on Thursday, September 5.

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, handed over an access swipe card to the control centre for the system, to Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area One, Warren Clarke, during a ceremony held at the Montego Freeport Police Station.

The system, consisting of some 19 cameras strategically located across the city, was procured by the Ministry at a cost of approximately $55 million.

In his address Minister Bunting pointed out that six more cameras are to be added to the system shortly, with the assistance of the private sector.  “We are expecting that this is going to have a further positive impact on crime reduction in the areas where these cameras are installed,” he stated.

Mr. Bunting noted that “The first (benefit) (is that) it would improve our detection, and because these cameras are being monitored twenty four seven, so we would be able to identify crimes in progress and dispatch teams to address that”. He said the cameras would provide useful evidence, and act as a deterrent.

The National Security Minister argued that the project had been highly anticipated, adding that the 19 cameras are just a start, to be improved over time to an ideal amount.     He pointed out that his Ministry is spending hundreds of millions of dollars this year to upgrade several aspects of its technological resources and intelligence gathering capabilities.

“All of this will hopefully in the medium term show a significant return on that investment, in terms of making the communities across Jamaica safer and more secure, and I hope that this specific investment will contribute to keeping the streets of Montego Bay safe and secure for both citizens and visitors alike,” he stated.