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CCTV Cameras to be restored ‘in coming weeks’ – CoP Matthews

- Says RVIPF also exploring tech to safely disable scooters & motorcycles
Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews said in a matter of weeks, the force will be fitting and restoring CCTV Cameras on poles throughout the Virgin Islands (VI) as part of efforts to fight the growing traffic violations. Photo: Internet Source
Commissioner Matthews B. Matthews noted that the delays to get the cameras back in place after the devastation from Hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017, is due to the funding mechanism that falls under the Caribbean Development (CDB) Loan scheme, even as the project is already budgeted for. Photo: VINO/File
Commissioner Matthews B. Matthews noted that the delays to get the cameras back in place after the devastation from Hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017, is due to the funding mechanism that falls under the Caribbean Development (CDB) Loan scheme, even as the project is already budgeted for. Photo: VINO/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) says it remains blind to some of the traffic offences across the Territory and strategically placed CCTV cameras is part of the solution to fight that. Photo: VINO/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) says it remains blind to some of the traffic offences across the Territory and strategically placed CCTV cameras is part of the solution to fight that. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews said in a matter of weeks, the force will be fitting and restoring CCTV Cameras throughout the Virgin Islands (VI) as part of efforts to fight growing traffic violations.

“I’m desperately pushing hard still, and I know the Premier [Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1)] himself personally is very concerned about the time it is taking to fully restore CCTV to the territory,” Mr Matthews said on the Tuesday, January 14, 2020, edition of the ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio show.

Funding Delays

Commissioner Matthews noted that the delays to get the cameras back in place after the devastation from hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017, is due to the funding mechanism that falls under the Caribbean Development (CDB) Loan scheme, even as the project is already budgeted for.

“It’s obviously a very expensive thing to have to install across the entire territory,” he said.

Mr Matthews noted that ahead of restoration of the cameras, at the moment, the force remains blind to some of the offences and strategically placed CCTV cameras is part of the solution to fight that.

“There are cameras available now that can actually photograph a scooter and a rider and give on the photograph the location and the speed it was doing, at the time,” he said.

Disabling Scooters

The Commissioner disclosed that the force is also looking into more direct technology, aimed specifically at motorcycle riders who continue to violate the laws.

“There’s a lot of new technology available on the market these days and one of the things that we are looking at and we’ve been talking to manufacturers about, is safe ways to stop motorcycles and motor scooters.”

This technology he says can disable scooters at a distance and bring them to a halt safely, “It doesn’t exist here in the Territory at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t explore those kinds of options,” he said.

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