CCTV cameras, control centre installed in Ambur town to prevent crime

Residents and the civic body in Ambur town in Tirupattur have come together to install 64 CCTV cameras with a centralised control centre, covering all 36 wards for better surveillance.

Along with municipal officials, police and residents, Ambur MLA A.C. Vilwanathan inaugurated the centralised control centre for CCTV cameras at Ambur Town police station on Thursday.

The entire project was implemented at a cost of ₹18 lakh from the general funds of the civic body. “The cameras will be monitored round-the-clock by the local police and maintained by the civic body. The cameras will help in monitoring movement of vehicles and people as the town is located along the national highway,” S. Muthusamy, Commissioner, Ambur municipality, told The Hindu.

Municipal officials said that at present, the town has CCTV cameras that are mostly installed by individuals and commercial establishments on their own. The cameras provided by the civic body in support of residents were meant for the entire town and surrounding areas to prevent crime.

As per plan, the centralised control centre at Ambur police station will be managed by a sub-inspector with two constables round-the-clock. Earlier, the police used to depend on cameras installed by individuals in front of their houses to investigate cases. Most of these cameras have less clarity with respect to the images captured by them. On the other hand, the newly-installed cameras are equipped with high resolution lenses for better clarity.

Residents said they were concerned over rising cases of bike theft, chain snatching, and suspected drug use in the area. It had prompted them to urge the local ward members and the civic body to install CCTV cameras at identified vulnerable spots in the town.

Subsequently, a necessary resolution was also passed at the monthly council meeting of the municipality to provide adequate funds for the work. “The initiative by the municipality helps to provide a systematic surveillance of the neighbourhood to prevent crime. It will also help in better coordination between the police, the civic body and the residents for ensuring public safety,” said Mohammed Ibrahim, a resident.