The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has partnered with the business community in an attempt to expand its surveillance network.
The initiative, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith told Guardian Media, is still a work in progress but involves businesses allowing police to tap into their camera system which is then fed to the Operational Command Centre.
He said it’s a similar model as those used by law enforcement in the United States and would supplement the cameras already in use by the police.
“A Safe City Model is an ideal tool to ensure that the law enforcement agencies monitoring... areas around a country,” he said.
He explained that the system only utilises the external cameras of the establishment which could prove beneficial to police in conducting their investigations.
“If there is a 999 call, we can use these cameras now to monitor an individual trying to escape...it can also be used to assist us in evidence because video recording is now admissible in court,” he said.
This, Griffith said, is just one of the many projects under discussion between the TTPS and business community.
Signs could be seen at some of these businesses engaging in the collaboration such as at Massy Supermarket in St Anns.
Guardian Media reached out to the group executive vice president Gervase Warner several times for comment though none was provided despite messages being read.
However, T&T Chamber of Commerce president Gabriel Faria told Guardian Media in a Whatsapp message: “There has been increased collaboration between the TTPS and the private sector to address the current crime situation. The private sector is assisting in whatever way it can to offer support.”
“We look forward to seeing the impact of various activities. It is important that the country get the fullest support of all stakeholders if we are to succeed in our fight against crime.”