CCTVs in Sibu districts scare off would-be criminals

by Bernama.

THE Sibu Urban Surveillance System has proven to be a very effective crime prevention initiative.

The system consists of 54 Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) placed in strategic locations around the town's central business district.

Sibu Police Chief ACP Shafie Ismail said this during a briefing for South Kuching City Hall delegation led by its deputy mayor Abang Affandi Abang Annuar here last night.

He told the visitors that would-be criminals now appeared to avoid the area as they realized that they were being watched all the time.

"These CCTVs have an intimidating effect on criminals as all images are fed to the Police Headquarters here whereby they are being monitored 24 hours a day by police officers working on three shifts," he said.

The 2008 project is an initiative of the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and is implemented jointly by Emastech, (an associate of PANSAR Group) and Danawa, a telecommunications company and supported by the police.

"I am extremely happy that SMC has proven itself to be such a serious partner to us in crime prevention.

"It has walked the talk in making Sibu safer together with the police," he said.

Shafie hoped that more parties, including the private sector and neighbourhood committees, could join the council and the police in expanding the CCTV network to cover more angles like in the back streets and residential areas.

"We cannot do it alone and fast enough without such support,” he said.

He added that when the system had been expanded and combined with the other NKRA initiatives in crime prevention, the town would surely be a safer and better place for everyone.

[Sumber : The Malay Mail, 19 September, 2012, Rabu]