PANAJI
While a gang of professional thieves from Uttar Pradesh was busted in Panaji in a record four hours, the breakthrough did not come through the city’s official surveillance system. Instead, it was privately installed CCTV cameras in the inner lanes -- where the thefts occurred -- that captured crucial footage.
The incident has cast a harsh light on the existing Smart City project’s surveillance network, which has allegedly concentrated its coverage on main roads and traffic junctions.
Sources however, told The Goan that the present setup was originally based on locations recommended by the Traffic Department. The recent spate of thefts has now prompted a reassessment with the police now pushing for extensive coverage, particularly in inner lanes and less visible areas.
“Had it not been for cameras installed by local business owners, identification of the thieves could have been challenging. They are hardened criminals from Uttar Pradesh having over half a dozen cases against them. They kept a watch on the patrolling vans. The moment the PCR van left to attend another call, they committed the crime,” a senior officer said.
While the Smart City’s surveillance infrastructure did help crack cases in the past given their high resolution and face detection systems, senior police officers have now insisted on coverage beyond the main streets.
“The existing high-resolution cameras installed by the IPSCDL helped the police to crack cases in the past. But, we need expanded surveillance into lanes and bylanes, supported by a system that is not only wider in coverage but also more responsive in maintenance and upkeep,” the officer said. On the other hand, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited claimed internal lanes are indeed covered by them.
In the theft case, the trail was pieced together with help from a combination of private CCTV footage, official cameras at other locations and coordinated efforts.
The department has also credited the swift identification of the thieves to the Local Intelligence Bureau (LIB) and matching footage with police databases. “Human intelligence and memory also played a crucial role. Our LIB staff quickly identified the thieves with their names. This led to the breakthrough,” added the source.
The accused, during initial questioning, revealed they had come to Goa with no criminal intent. “...but when they ran out of money, they decided to rob. They studied the movement of PCR vans, other vehicles and crowds along that stretch of road before striking the four places including two liquor stores,” the source said.
