Speaking during the debate on the State of Nation Address (SoNA) delivered by President Adama Barrow, on Thursday, the lawmaker said while CCTV systems are an important step toward improving surveillance and public safety, there is an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of frontline officers.
“Yes, CCTV cameras are good. They help protect us and enhance our security system. But what happens when a camera captures a crime and our officers don’t have the vehicles or tools to respond quickly? That would make the CCTV useless,” she pointed out.
The Sanimentereng legislator stressed that the men and women who serve in the country’s security forces; many of whom stand guard day and night to protect citizens including the president must be fully supported with the right materials, vehicles, and equipment.
“It’s not just about watching crimes happen. We must also make sure our security forces have what they need to stop it from happening or respond immediately,” the lawmaker added.
She urged President Barrow and his government to ensure that while the CCTV installation continues, equal attention is given to resourcing the police and other security agencies.
“CCTV is part of the solution, but it’s not the whole solution,” she concluded.
President Barrow in his SoNA speech disclosed that “plans are underway to install CCTV systems along the OIC Highway and other strategic locations. These will be linked to a traffic management centre for real-time monitoring and law enforcement.”
He said a new highway patrol unit is already in operation to enhance road safety. “In addition, modern surveillance equipment worth thirty-eight million Dalasis (D38 million), secured from the German government, has been installed in strategic locations, to reinforce crime prevention.
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