A lawmaker Wednesday called for massive installation of public surveillance cameras in major thoroughfares and key public places to complement the "no-wang-wang" policy of the Aquino administration, to effectively enforce traffic rules and to help address the problem of criminality.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should put together a more extensive closed-circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance system in major thoroughfares and key public places, for more effective monitoring.
"Coverage of existing public surveillance cameras is extremely limited. We should have at least one observation camera for every 1,000 persons," he said.
Keeping a close eye: officials increasingly turn to camera networks and monitoring devices for public surveillance.: An article from: State News
Barzaga said video cameras should compensate for the lack of police officers. The officer-population ratio now stands at 1:700, still a far cry from the ideal 1:500, he pointed out.
"President Aquino's decision to take charge of the DILG is a blessing.
He will directly oversee not just the strengthening of local governments, but also the promotion of peace and order as well as public safety," he said.
"The President enjoys tremendous public support. Cable TV as well as high-speed wireless Internet service providers will surely help spread the use of surveillance cameras, once Malacañang or the DILG invites them to do so," he said.
Internet Protocol-based CCTV video cameras enabled by WiFi zones could supplement the use of cable TV networks in the surveillance activities, Barzaga said.
"In Dasmariñas City, with the help of our private cable TV service provider, we've installed 24-hour surveillance cameras on major roads at no extra cost to taxpayers," said Barzaga, former Dasmariñas mayor for nine years.
A vast surveillance camera system would also give more meaning to the President's pledge to ensure the swift administration of justice, Barzaga said.
"Our streets are slowly being overwhelmed by crimes against persons and property such as road rage, carjacking, bus robbery, hit-and-run, and snatching," he said.
He cited the road rage killing of Renato Ebarle Jr. in Quezon City and the shooting of Jorge Bernas by carjackers in Pasig City. "More than helping law enforcers apprehend offenders after a felony has been committed, we are absolutely convinced a broader video surveillance network will go a long way in deterring crime in our streets," Barzaga said.
He said the use of video cameras to enforce traffic rules would also help raise extra revenues from fines on violators.
This, as the solon brushed aside fears that it could be used to "invasion of privacy." "Video cameras in public places do not bother law-abiding and peace-loving people who hate crimes," he said.
CCTV video surveillance is widespread in the United Kingdom, which has some five million spy camera units, mostly in central London, or a ratio of one unit per 12 residents.
Pole cameras and surreptitious surveillance.(Legal Digest): An article from: The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Wednesday announced that the drive against wang-wang (sirens) is getting positive response from the public because some are voluntarily surrendering them to the police or the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
NCRPO chief, Director Roberto Rosales, said that of the total 148 sirens and blinkers which they have presented last Monday, some were voluntarily surrendered by individuals following the directive issued by President Aquino.
Rosales urged police personnel to follow the directive and remove the wang-wang including the blinkers from private vehicles. (With a report by Jean Fernando)