Press Release
Mandeville CCTV Reaps Early Success |
| Posted by Wendy (wendy) on Jul 07 2009 |
According to Superintendent Ryland Salmon of the Manchester Police, the recently commissioned Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system for the town of Mandeville has already proven invaluable in the fight against crime. On the first day of operation, the system was responsible for detecting 152 breaches under road traffic act. Superintendent Salmon was speaking at a thanksgiving service to commission the CCTV system for Mandeville at the Mandeville Baptist Church on June 28th.
Superintendent Salmon also informed that during the first week of operation the system was also responsible for apprehending persons who were selling drugs in the town, one of whom pleaded guilty in court after being made aware of the video evidence against him, and was fined $15,000 by the court. Additionally, two persons accused of rape were also tracked by the system and apprehended and are now awaiting an identification parade.
Supt. Salmon took time to express his gratitude to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce (MCOC), the Ministry of National Security and other stakeholders for “putting their money where their mouth is” in getting the CCTV security system established. CCTV he said, was a new day for the fight of crime in Mandeville, providing a new weapon in the arsenal of the Police Force and they were prepared to use it for their advantage, the advantage of the citizens of Manchester, and visitors to the town.
“So you can see from the start that this project will bear fruit and I want to assure the citizens of Mandeville and Manchester that we will do everything in our power to use this bit of equipment as a weapon in the fight against crime and lawlessness", Supt. Salmon stated..
In his message to the gathering, MCOC President, Winston Lawson, stated that the CCTV cameras were not the end all and be all for crimefighting in the parish. “A great deal more is necessary, but the cameras are a worthwhile addition to the effort of crime fighting in the town of Mandeville. I am confident that police force will make good use of the cameras. There is much to learn from this collaborative effort. A deliberate message is being sent from this effort that despite the challenges and the temporary fallout in the all important bauxite sector, we are sending a message that the parish is very much open for business and Closed to Crime,” Mr. Lawson emphasized.
In showing support for the initiative, Minister of National Security, Sen. the Hon. Dwight Nelson informed that CCTV represents another critical milestone in the government’s commitment to using technology and improved methods to fight crime in the society and to enforce public order. Development and implementation of CCTV in Mandeville and its environs, was the result of meaningful partnership and collaboration between Government, the business community and civil society represented by the MCOC, he said. Crime and violence was no longer a problem solely of urban areas, but now also of once peaceful and low crime areas like Manchester.
“It is the intention of Government and the National Security Ministry to wage a relentless battle against the criminals in our midst to retake our communities and towns, parishes and country and make it a safe place for us to live, work, operate our businesses and educate our children, the Minister stated. “We believe that the establishment of a closed circuit surveillance television system in Mandeville will go a long way towards that. (It) will allow the police command in this area to deploy officers more quickly and effectively in response to crimes in progress or suspicious acts, allowing early intervention or prevent a crime or reduce the severity of criminal activity.”
Other speakers at the church service included Asst. Commissioner of Police, John McLean, who represented the Commissioner of Police and Robert Cunningham, MCOC Director for the Closed To Crime Initiative (CTCI). The service was led by Rev. Basil McLeod, J.P, pastor of the Mandeville Baptist Church.
Last changed: Jul 07 2009 at 9:26 PM
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