Date:02/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/02/stories/2007070253260300.htm

Kerala - Palakkad

Hidden cameras to monitor people in Palakkad

Staff Reporter

‘Jagratha-2007’project to track movement of vehicles also

PALAKKAD: The district police authorities here have launched ‘Jagratha-2007,’ an innovative programme to monitor the movement of those entering the town and that of vehicles through 40 hidden cameras at major junctions.

Plans are in the pipeline to install seven of the cameras soon at the entry points and the main centre’s of the town. The cameras will operate round the clock and capture images from four angles.

The authorities said the pictures and data recorded on the cameras would be monitored by the officials in the control room. The images will help the police track down anti-social elements and criminals.

The officials in the control room can focus the cameras on troublemakers and follow their movement. They can be tracked down and arrested immediately.

The project is the brainchild of District Superintendent of Police Vijay Sacare as part of the initiative to curb crimes in the town.

The first phase of the project will begin next week with the installation of seven cameras. At present, a camera has been fixed at I.M.A. Junction on a trial basis and its monitor installed at the nearby Town South Police Station. Its effectiveness is being assessed, the officials said.