CCTV cameras to be installed nationwide

A collaboration between the Government and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SVGCIC) will see the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in several areas.

Speaking on Monday in the House of Assembly, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves said that the Government is committed to forging partnerships that advance citizen security in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

He said that as a result, technical experts are currently reviewing CCTV specifications submitted by the SVGCIC. Checks are being made regarding the acceptable quality of the cameras and their applicability to our circumstances.

The Finance Minister said once the specifications are approved, the Government has committed to allowing duty-free importation of qualifying CCTV cameras to increase their use in the fight against crime.

“Further, in our recent discussions with the Taiwanese Foreign Minister, we have finalized a programme that will establish a number of CCTV stations at bus stops and other locations nationwide, which will be centrally viewable from a command station at the Kingstown Police Station,” revealed Gonsalves.

A pilot programme on this initiative is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year, with full roll-out expected in 2019.