By Chantalé Fletcher
NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says that 733 closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) are either not fully functional or not functional in Trinidad and Tobago.
He said there were 1,796 cameras installed throughout T&T.
Hinds was answering a question by St Agustine MP Khadijah Ameen in Parliament on Friday.
Ameen asked Hinds about the number of CCTV cameras installed across the country and how many were operational.
Hinds said, “This figure (1,796) was as of February 28, 2022, however, of this number, 1,063 were fully functional with 733 considered to be either not fully functional nor indeed functional.”
He added that the installation of CCTV cameras was an ongoing exercise as they often become dysfunctional, for a thousand reasons, but they were on a routine basis repaired in order to perform their anticipated jobs.
When Opposition MP for Point a Pierre David Lee enquired if the 733 non-functional CCTV cameras were in key hot-spot areas,
Hinds said, “I am unable to provide an answer to that question at this time. But it depends on what is considered a hot-spot area and by whom.”
Amen then asked Hinds whether there were plans to install CCTV cameras at the Heights of Aripo.
Hinds said, “In order for CCTV cameras to be installed at the Heights of Aripo, careful consideration must be given to the site compatibility including the availability of electricity supply and the connectivity challenges at this remote location.
“Considerations must be given to these issues for the possible expansion of the CCTV network throughout T&T, including the Heights of Aripo, but to this end, discussions with stakeholders are currently well underway.”
Hinds added that stakeholders would include the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the intelligence gathering agencies across the country, potential service providers and all experts in these matters to advise and provide solutions.
