04 Sep 2018

Botswana Police Service (BPS) has resolved to embrace technology by installing surveillance cameras in strategic areas around Gaborone.

The purpose of the cameras is to enhance efforts in the fight against crime in the capital city. 

In an interview with BOPA, BPS deputy public relations officer, Senior Superintendent Near Bagali revealed that surveillance cameras will address the problem of shortage of resources within the police service.

He said with the cameras in place there would not be any need to deploy officers in the field for patrols and they will only be deployed to promptly respond to incidents and cases captured and revealed on the cameras.

He said the cameras, installed under the safer city project, would  be monitored 24 hours daily.

“We will be able to see everything that happens in the city in real time and respond accordingly. The cameras are installed in strategic areas around the city, but they will be controlled and monitored from a central point,” he said.

Sen. Supt. Bagali said they want to rid Gaborone of crime because it is the central destination for investment and foreign direct investment; it is the face of Botswana, so visitors, investors and members of the public should feel free and secure in the city. 

He explained that the cameras are placed in a way that they capture every angle of the environment and if some naughty members of the public try to vandalise them, they will be arrested in no time.

He detailed that some cameras were installed in strategic positions such as traffic lights to keep an eye on traffic offenders, therefore the exercise will also, to a large extent, help reduce road accidents and deaths. 

“The cameras will also provide evidence in cases of hit and run of pedestrians, motorists and road infrastructure vandalism. 

Everyday motorists knock down traffic lights and disappear into thin air, eventually leading to government incurring expenses of maintaining and repairing such infrastructure. 

With the cameras available, offenders will be easily found and brought to book,” Sen. Supt. Bagali further said.

He said the public was informed about the operation and they have given it the thumbs up with the view that turnaround time will also be improved.

He said police officers would  be able to attend to other pressing matters and have more time to do extensive investigations rather than spending time on patrols. 

“If everything goes according to plan, we are expecting to have the cameras up and running all over the city by November 2018. 

At the moment, we are running some trials in some areas already and all seems well. We are committed to keeping Botswana safe,” Supt Bagali reiterated.

He said the project will be rolled out to other major villages and towns in future, with Francistown being the next destination. Ends