Use of CCTV helps Lae police respond, fight crime

THE use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor Lae city’s main hot spots has proven to be an effective in fighting crime, a senior officer says.
Lae metropolitan commander Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban said CCTV footage had helped police respond better to crimes and reduced the number of offences (particularly petty crimes) committed in market areas as law enforcement had been able to identify suspects and make arrests.
Chief Supt Kunyanban, however, said his command did not have any alternatives or back-up equipment or maintenance plans to service the CCTV equipment if it were to fail or became faulty.
He said this after the CCTV cameras temporarily went off after a lightning strike last month.
The acquisition and setting up of the CCTV cameras was funded by Lae City Authority and Morobe administration.
Chief Insp Kunyanban said his command was working on improving this equipment’s structure to upgrade and expand its range.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt Kunyanban said with regards to the crime rate in the Morobe capital over the last two months had seen just three major crimes recorded with a number of suspects in custody while others were still at large.
In one of the crimes, an armed robbery at Chemica Ltd opposite the University of Technology entrance, five of the six suspects involved had been arrested while one was still at large.
Chief Supt Kunyanban said officers were able to respond quickly because they had been alerted quickly through the police toll free number.