‘Crime prevention plan needs digital technology boost’

CCTV surveillance is spruced up with rejuvenation of the third eye project under which the 1.4 lakh cameras will be brought back to life

In an interview, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal unveiled his strategies for effective maintenance of law and order and to bring down the crime rate in the city. Mr. Jiwal has been planning to revamp CCTV surveillance systems and patrolling. Excerpts The overall crime rate has gone up by 11 % between 2011 and 2021. The crime prevention strategy is designed to reduce the opportunities for criminals to commit crimes. This strategy, in the long term, has to be primed by embedding advanced digital technology that would act as a force multiplier. Already there is a short-term plan: 48 permanent vehicle checkpoints manned 24/7 by the local police and 12 checkpoints (for checking at night) manned by the traffic police with a special focus on violations of the Motor Vehicle Act and drunk driving. CCTV surveillance is being spruced up by rejuvenating the third eye project under which the 1.4 lakh cameras will be brought back to life and 42,000 more cameras will be installed to cover the grey areas... The CCTV camera surveillance shall help to identify criminals logically and faster. The habitual and hard-core criminals form a very small section of the otherwise law-abiding citizenry of the city. Though rehabilitation is always the priority, deterrent legal action within the framework of law is available against those engaging in repeated disturbances to public order. Legal literacy and awareness of human rights do not prevent the police from invoking these provisions. The use of preventive detention and the Code of Criminal Procedure sections relating to security has been streamlined. There is also a concerted effort to train the men and the officers in sharpening their skills in investigation with a scientific temper, following timeline and ensuring speedy conviction. Profiling of criminals is under way through face and fingerprint registration and the search management programme. This will not only help to profile the criminal individually but also the company he keeps and help to forecast to prevent further incidents. It is also proposed to form a special team, each headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, in the North and South Divisions to handle important cases against hard-core criminals on priority.