Cops urge residents to install CCTV cameras; Footage provider won’t be considered as witness: SSP

Cops urge residents to install CCTV cameras

Footage provider won’t be considered as witness: SSP

Police meet social activists

• The police have held some meetings with the NGOs, social activists and other organisations
• They appealed them to make people aware that installation of CCTV cameras is helpful
• A survey is being conducted to know the total number of cameras installed

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, May 6

To bring down crime rate, the Muktsar police have appealed to residents to install security gadgets like CCTV cameras at their residences and business establishments.

The police informed the public that those who would provide the CCTV footage to them won’t be treated as witness in the case.

Muktsar SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill said, “We have held some meetings with the NGOs, social activists and other organisations and appealed them to make people aware that installation of CCTV cameras is very helpful. It not only provides a sense of security to residents, but also creates apprehension in the mind of would-be criminal.”

“Besides, a survey is being conducted to know the total number of cameras installed and their locations in the district. It will help us solve the crime in future,” he added.

He said, “It is not possible for the police to install thousands of CCTV cameras, thus public cooperation is necessary. Earlier, some people feared that providing CCTV footage of any criminal activity would make them witness in the case. However, we assure that the video provider would not be considered as a witness in the case.”

Malout DSP Manwinderbir Singh said, “A young girl was recently abducted from outside her workplace in Malout town and the accused was caught on CCTV camera installed in the street. The CCTV footage had helpful the police solve the case.”

The DSP further said he recently visited some places in the town where CCTV cameras were installed to check their location and suggested those who had installed these to change their settings for best usage.

Meanwhile, the SSP, who has assumed charge recently, said it, however, did not mean the policemen would not do patrolling. “We are also increasing patrolling. Besides, the SHOs have already started laying nakas at night in their jurisdiction,” he added.

Courtesy: The Tribune