Crime-monitoring cameras to be installed in Francistown
Kaelo Kebotse | Tuesday June 4, 2019 10:34
Senior assistant commissioner of the Botswana Police Service (BPS) Gaboletswe Dimeko said that the police would install crime-monitoring cameras at some spots in the city.
He said so when addressing a full council meeting on Wednesday adding that the project will be completed before the end of the year.
Dimeko, who is also the chairperson of the Safety City Project, stated that the first phase of the project started in Gaborone in the southern part of the country while the second phase of the project will be rolled out in the northern part of the country in Francistown.
He further mentioned that in Gaborone they have also managed to install the cameras at the Gaborone Bus Rank.
“We have installed the security cameras at our Call Centre and at the Dispatch Room,” he said.
He also outlined that these cameras will mostly help in reduction of the crime rate in both cities and ensure the safety of the citizens.
The police boss explained that with the cameras set up crime would be reduced in the cities, making them even more attractive for investment opportunities, which in turn will lead to employment creation for the locals.
Dimeko made a clarion call to the Francistown City Council (FCC) to assist with funds for the project adding that BPS has already provided over P200 million for the project.
He also mentioned that they are working with three companies, two local companies and an international one, Huawei, to carry out the project.
Focusing on the Francistown project, Dimeko said that they have already started refurbishing offices at Kutlwano Police Station, which will be used as a command centre.
He told the council that the project would also provide two mobile command vehicles with satellite camera equipment, which can be deployed anywhere in the city.
Dimeko stated that there would be over 500 cameras inserted with facial recognition features, which will make it easy for the police to identify those that commit crime.
The cameras, Dimeko noted, will be placed in 195 sites around Francistown.
Transmission engineer at Huawei, Mathews Ditlhase stated that the type of technology that the cameras will use is fibre connectivity.
He said that the cameras would be installed in such a way that if there is an intruder at any area, an alarm will be sent to those supervising the system.
Ditlhase added that the cameras are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
The civic leaders expressed joy with the new development saying that the cameras will help to reduce crime in their city.