-have the CCTV cameras helped solve any crime?
Mystery continues to surround the identity of the person who heads the Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) where the footage captured by the dozens of Closes Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras set up around the city is reportedly going.
Earlier this month Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had said that a board had been established to oversee the functioning of that unit which is located in the compound of Castellani House. He had said too that the use of the footage had to be cleared by this board.
From then to now despite numerous attempts this newspaper has been unable to ascertain who makes up this board or gather any information in relation to who heads the facility.
When quizzed about this two weeks ago Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said that the unit has no head. He went on to say that the information that is collected by the unit is shared with the police.
Stabroek News visited the unit two weeks ago and was unable to meet with the person in charge. When this newspaper arrived at the gate leading into the compound, the guard on duty allowed this newspaper access. He was told by the reporter that a visit was being made to the unit.
When this newspaper arrived at the unit a few moments later, the unpainted concrete two storey building seemed locked and there was no guard or anyone visible either inside or outside.
It was noticed though that there were some vehicles parked under a shed attached to the building close to a side door. This newspaper later found what appeared to be the main door and upon entering walked into a small opening from which three doors could be accessed. This newspaper knocked and attempted to open two but they were locked. The third door opened and inside were a chair and items belonging to a woman.
On looking through a side window, a woman was seen running down a staircase on the outside of the building. Later this newspaper met the woman outside and it was explained that an attempt was being made to speak with the person in charge. The woman then entered the building while dialling a number on her cellular phone. She later came back saying that the person in charge said that contact had to be made with Rohee. After being told that Rohee had indicated that there was a board and it was those persons this newspaper was trying to make contact with, the woman went back into the building and when she returned she said that the person would be down shortly.
That person never came and the woman later left the compound. Efforts by this newspaper to get a response after knocking at a locked door at the top of the outside staircase were to no avail.
During interviews on the subject the opposition had expressed concerns about the CIU and the footage that was reportedly being captured by the cameras.
APNU leader David Granger had said that was unaware of the staffing of the facility and one would hope they could read and interpret what was being recorded. Other issues such as how quickly the information was being transmitted and the use of the footage were also of concern to him.
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjatta said too that he had received no information from government about the cameras. He said that he suspects that the reason why the information has not been forthcoming is because certain government officials have been engaged in offensive behaviour and he added that he personally knew of three such cases.
Both political leaders said that government ought to have given the National Assembly an update on the matter. They said that in light of their growing concerns the issue would be raised at a later stage as the parliament is at the moment trying to address the no confidence motion brought against Rohee.
It was at the height of the crime spree back in 2005 that government had promised to install the cameras. At that time it was felt that the cameras could go a long way in helping to solve some of the crimes being committed in the city, especially armed robberies that soared towards the end of that year despite a heightened police presence. However, the installation of cameras did not begin until last August.
Luncheon when quizzed about the usefulness of the cameras had responded, “I don’t think that any has so far been used as evidence in court but they have been used as far as I am aware to investigate different offences.” He did not explain what those “different offences” were, but insisted that the cameras were functioning.
Many have raised concerns about the purposes of the cameras. While they are seen as a plus when investigating crimes and serious traffic accidents, the police have never publically stated if the footage was useful in any investigation. When approached senior officers would say that information should be sought either from the Office of the President or Rohee.
For many observers there seem to be more questions than answers surrounding the CCTV cameras and the CIU.
