Again there was an armed robbery in broad daylight at a jewellery store on Front Street (see related story), sparking concern that not much has changed since a similar incident in which Police Officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin was shot dead.
Also in Friday’s case a scooter apparently was used to flee the scene, despite an announcement shortly after the policeman’s killing that these types of vehicles no longer would be allowed in the inner city’s shopping area.
Having said that, people do need to understand that enforcing such an order is difficult at best, starting with the need to properly formalise and publish any new traffic rules. Even then, it involves motorbikes that easily can go in and out of tight spaces that patrol cars, for example, may not be able to access.
This latest occurrence does confirm the need to finalise the security cameras project to be executed by TelEm, for which financing recently was reported to be in place despite the current budget restrictions. If that’s true, the quicker it is actually implemented the better.
Mind you, video surveillance obviously won’t stop a crime in progress, but if criminals know they might be recorded not only during the act but also while trying to escape, it could at least make them think twice. Moreover, once suspects start being caught and sentenced based on evidence from the envisioned closed circuit television system, others are likely to take heed.
It’s been said before: the necessary care must be taken regarding the handling and storing of the network’s images so they are not misused for other purposes, but at this point few would argue against placing the cameras. “Big brother” soon will be watching, but that seems a necessary price to pay nowadays for enhanced public safety.
