By Sitta Turay
The other day it was at the residence of a foreign Justice sitting on the bench at the Commission of Inquiry (COI) that buglers entered and stole a laptop. A day later a senior citizen of Sierra Leone working as an adviser to the President residing in the same estate just a few meters away had his house broken into and a laptop was carted away. Last week a magistrate’s office that is situated very close to the central maximum prisons was ransacked and documents and other valuables carted away.
Set out in the streets of Sierra Leone, especially Freetown, and it is instant that one becomes a prey for criminals. There has been a significant rise in both petty thieving and armed robbery in the country, at least as far as public perception goes. The police do not keep the pubic abreast of these incidents. It would seem armed robbers are having a field day. They are even becoming an institution because no one will find them out whenever they hit. They have been left on their own.
I do not want to blame this entirely on the police by way of accusing them of negligent or ineptitude in the dispensation of their job. The lack of adequate or requisite equipment to may make their job much easier is another huge factor. The world has improved and for that reason we must, as a country, step up to match with the world. In many other parts of the world it is becoming increasingly difficult every day for criminals to commit crime and go free. Finger print detection is available and close circuit television (CCTV) cameras become core values. They are used in adducing evidence in court and helping locate criminals and their nefarious acts. It seems Sierra Leone is ages away from such digital progress. I may not know the reason but it is not as costly as one may think to install security cameras with Digital Video Recorders (DVR).
The primary purpose of installing surveillance cameras is to deter robbers and other criminals and unscrupulous elements from indulging in theft and other criminal activities. Security cameras are installed in bungalows, townhouses, apartment buildings, condominiums, schools, university campuses, offices, stores, malls and other public areas. These cameras monitor suspicious activities; stop theft, vandalism and shoplifting; and alert stationed security officers about real-time thefts. Staff monitoring cameras and centrally manned systems in large businesses can also inform the security or law enforcement officials about developing dangerous situations.
New-generation surveillance cameras and extended central command systems can also record audio and video. Sexual harassment, other forms of veiled threats and rough behavior at the workplace and on college campuses can be spotted and recorded and maintained on security camera systems. Audio records can be used to buffer legal cases. Employees caught stealing inventory, office items and other material and denying the same or looking to file countersuits can be hauled up in courts with the requisite video surveillance proof.
Having cameras installed in strategic places comes in handy when you need to monitor actions and words of people or during an event. Security cameras are not only equipped with high quality video capabilities but audio as well in very recent times. The clear images coupled with flawless sound makes them more efficient than ever at recording a series of happenings.
All what is happening in Freetown and around the country at present can be resolved through security cameras and a fingerprint database. The police in Sierra Leone do not want to work especially when it comes to investigation. They are also static in increasing their knowledge and techniques. All they are doing is to extort money. The senior officers are not investigating what will make the work of their junior better and therefore cater for more trainings and equipment. The police are just interested in what they will make for the day and go back home. But, when there are security cameras in strategic places around the country victims of any kind of criminal act will ask for the footage of these security cameras. It will serve as prevention in committing a crime.
Security cameras will also compel the security personnel such as the police to do their job diligently and minimize bribery. Institutions like the Anti Corruption Commission should have championed the installation of security cameras in all offices. Combating corruption is not just to convict people but to prevent it from happening. That is where security cameras will serve.
Critics may stand on privacy laws. The argument is that people’s private activities are laid bare in public which in itself is a breach. But, experts say it is difficult to dispute the effectiveness of video surveillance in thwarting crime at a place of business or private residence. Visible video cameras are a great deterrent in the battle against shoplifting, robbery and burglary, and covert cameras are effective tools in helping to identify and prosecute those responsible for ripping you off. But before you start installing camera mounts and running video cables through your ceilings, it’s a good idea to brush up on surveillance laws. Although I have not read the local laws that surround security and surveillance cameras, I have the conviction that nothing adverse will happen when it is installed. I also will not tell how difficult it can be to enact laws that will make it not criminal to install security cameras.
Places like Abacha Street, where broad daylight actions of theft are going on, security cameras must be installed. Private commercial places should be thinking to install security cameras. The National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT) that owns the buildings housing the Nigerian judge and the presidential adviser must be thinking of installing security cameras.
Cameras with internet facility are taking over other kinds of security cameras and they are helping to cub crimes.
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