Most CCTV cameras out of order in Barishal city

Almost all the CCTV cameras installed in Barishal city's roads have gone out of order. This means the city streets now lie unsupervised and vulnerable, said residents, fearing a spike in crime.

Fund crisis, shortage of skilled human resources and mismanagement in the sector have led to the disorderly state, according to some BCC officials.

During multiple visits, this correspondent saw that CCTV cameras in most  busy areas, intersections and points including Sadar Road, Launch Ghat,  Nathullahbad Central Bus Stand, Chowmatha and Jailkhana Mor were  not working.

Even the control rooms (eight in total) to operate those were left deserted.

BCC executive engineer Omar Faruque said the situation has gotten worse mainly due to the shortage of funds needed to maintain those. "If we manage to get some funds, it will be possible to reactivate the CCTV cameras," the official said.

According to BCC sources, during the previous mayor's tenure, 261 CCTV cameras were installed through eight control rooms. This was done at a cost of Tk 2.59 crore for the financial year 2013-14. However, at least half of the cameras went out of order within two years.

The situation worsened in the last six months, which also increased security concerns.

Talking to this correspondent, BCC assistant engineer Ohid Murad said it started when 45 cameras were first damaged in 2017.

Currently, most of the cameras installed on important roads of the city are not working, the official said. On top of maintenance trouble, another prime factor is that miscreants steal parts of the installations regularly, he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Barishal Metropolitan Police Khan Abu Naser said, "A modern technology like CCTV surveillance plays an important role in controlling a city's crimes. As these cameras are malfunctioning, it has become difficult to find the whereabouts of criminals."

Similar sentiments were echoed by rights organisations. Shah Sajeda, convener of Conscious Citizens Committee, Barishal, said it's imperative for the city corporation to reactivate the cameras, as this will help control crime in the city.

Asked, the BCC executive engineer said, "We are trying to come up with funds to reactivate the cameras soon."