Chennai: In a bid to facilitate 24-hour surveillance, residents of TVS Colony and Officer’s Colony in Anna Nagar Western Extension have pooled in Rs 10 lakh from their own pockets to set up 14 CCTV cameras. Inaugurated by Thamarai Kannan, Additional Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, on Sunday, the surveillance system consists of eight hi-focus speed dome cameras and six fixed cameras covering a radius of three kilometres around the area.
M S Dhas, secretary of the Residents’ Welfare Association, said that the installation of the cameras began a month ago. “Now, people will be aware that they are being watched through these cameras and this would certainly lead to decrease in crime rates,” he added.
Thamarai Kannan emphasised that maintenance was the key to sustain such facilities. “Many sensational cases have been solved with the help of CCTV cameras and in countries abroad, we are watched wherever we go. Residents’ associations should take steps to facilitate such initiatives,” he added.
The monitoring unit of the cameras is kept on the association’s office premises. “For now, members of the association will monitor the happenings, we will soon formulate a robust system.” said Dhas.
Thamarai Kannan also felt that with the introduction of community police initiatives, the installation of CCTV cameras would help the officers posted under the beat police concept. “The cameras will certainly help provide information to the beat officers in the area.” he said.
The initiative was facilitated by the Anna Nagar Western Extension Phase 2 Residents’ Welfare Association.
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