CCTV cameras compulsory: Tirupati police

Tirupati: Tirupati urban district police has served notices to 1,079 business establishments for not having CCTV cameras as per AP Public Safety Enforcement Act. The notices are served to business establishments at crowded places including petrol bunks, apartments, colonies, educational institutions, banks, shopping malls, devotional places, hospitals, lodged, functional halls, hotels, bars and wine stores. The police has verified all the mentioned establishments and served notices for not having proper surveillance. 

Sources said that Tirupati urban SP Abhishek Mohanty is concerned about the crime rate and wanted to cut down its rate by using technology. But the police department alone can't fix the cameras as there will be budget and other technical glitches. 

After Mr Abhishek Mohanty took charge in July, he took a proactive approach and spoke to public to create awareness and more than 771 CCTV cameras were installed in the Temple City. Most of the cases have been solved with the help of CCTV footage, 414 cases were identified till date and 159 cases were directed. 

According to AP Public Safety Enforcement Act, persons who are running an establishment should store video footage properly for a period of 30 days and provide the same as and when required by police. Police has given exemption to the establishments by not charging any penalty, even as per the Act police can fine them with Rs 5,000 for the first month, Rs 10,000 for the second and can seal establishments temporarily from third month. 

Speaking to this correspondent, SP Abhishek Mohanty said, "Our intention is to let them know about the Act and to remind their social responsibility. We have traced many cases from last few months with the help of CCTV cameras. Police can't fix cameras everywhere. The persons with an intention of crime will not enter the compounds due to surveillance.”