CCTV Putting Dent in Crime in Manchester

The Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras recently installed in Mandeville, courtesy of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, have enabled the police to significantly reduce crime in the parish.
Giving an update on the initiative at the Chamber’s fundraising at the Mandeville Hotel, Saturday (August 29), director Robert Cunningham said that data from the police show that the cameras have helped in the seizure of 102 offensive weapons and arrests of persons for copyright violations.
He said that several persons were also identified visiting ATM machines at nights on no apparent business, and the police acted.
“This is why the execution of that landmark MOU between stakeholders last year was so important,” Mr. Cunningham said.

Director of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Robert Cunningham, giving an update on the use of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to boost the police’s crime fighting capability in Mandeville at the Chamber’s fundraising dinner in aid of the Closed to Crime Initiative on Saturday (August 29) at the Mandeville Hotel.

He also stated that larceny was down from at least four per day, to lest than two per week. A total of 110 traffic tickets were issued by the police within two days of the launch, for various traffic breaches, and has resulted in a less congested and more orderly town.
“I feel strongly that this CCTV installation, complete with the establishment protocols, appraisal systems and measuring apparatus, can be duplicated in towns throughout Jamaica. Can you imagine the effect on crime? Understand that without this very basic human requirement for safety, we are going nowhere fast,” he asserted.
Deputy Superintendent at the Manchester Police Division, Gosford Cole, said the cameras have served to complement the police, and to help them to strategically respond to potential law breaking.
“It would take about 50 police officers to accomplish what one police sitting at a desk can accomplish by just clicking on a mouse,” he said.
“We have seen order in different areas; the pickpockets have moved out of town, and trade in illegal drugs has been reduced in Mandeville, due to the arrests and conviction of some offenders,” he explained.
CCTV was launched in July by Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson.
The Manchester Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Ministry of National Security, and other stakeholders including the Manchester Parish Council, Service Clubs and individuals embarked on a drive to reduce crime in the parish of Manchester in 2007, known as the Closed to Crime Initiative.