243 cameras to be strategically placed around New Providence Island (Nassau), Bahamas to monitor, prevent and detect crimes

243 cameras to be strategically placed around New Providence Island (Nassau), Bahamas to monitor, prevent and detect crimes

Travis Cartwright-Carroll
The Nassau Guardian

Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest said yesterday that the implementation of closed circuit television (CCTV) camera throughout The Bahamas will not, in isolation, reduce the crime rate, adding that other factors will play a critical role in the project’s success.

Turnquest was on hand at a contract signing event for the national closed circuit television project at police headquarters.

The project, with a contract valued at $4.6 million, was one Turnquest said all Bahamians should be proud of.

The contract for the first phase of the CCTV project was signed by a group of firms headed by Bahamian company Lowe’s Security Limited and its U.S.-based partner Avrio RMS Group, as well as Security Centers International Limited, which is based in the Cayman Islands.

Turnquest said the camera will “span firstly from St. Alban’s Drive in the west to Mackey Street in the east, and covering areas at least one mile south of Bay Street”.

“Additionally cameras will be strategically located in other areas of the island and will focus on high crime areas and hot spots, giving police officers additional eyes to monitor, prevent and detect crimes,” he said.

The national security minister said signs will be erected to identify the location of all cameras. Protocols and procedures will be in place to preserve the privacy and rights of residents.

The system will also have license plate recognition software, Turnquest noted.

The instillation of the cameras will begin on May 1, 2012, with a target completion date before the end of September.

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