THE Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force now has live access to cameras strategically placed at both ends of the Demerara Harbour Bridge through a wireless link, which is expected to maximise earlier successes in crime detection.The Ministry of Public Infrastructure yesterday joined with the CID to commission the wireless feed link at a simple ceremony at the CID Laboratory, Eve Leary.
In attendance were Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson; Minister within the Ministry Annette Ferguson; and General Manager of Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, Rawlston Adams; Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud; and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.
Minister Ferguson handed over a 48-inch SMART TV monitor to Commissioner Persaud for use in enhancing and monitoring the direct feed. In addition, there was also a brief demonstration of the link’s capabilities, including the capturing of snapshots of vehicles from live feed; playback of videos; and monitoring of traffic build-up with zoom-in functions.
According to Minister Patterson, about $3M was invested by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure towards the wireless link, which will enhance a productive partnership between the Harbour Bridge and the GPF.
He stressed that the partnership was one which aimed to make Guyana safer and also to provide a better and safer traffic experience for all road users. He added that that the ministry is willing to do whatever it takes to better the lives of Guyanese and will be looking to better its partnership with the Police Force in other ways.

Commissioner of Police Persaud said that the wireless link went beyond the monitoring of crime, as the feed would also aid the police in its traffic monitoring and traffic control.
“This all might appear simple, but this is very significant for us. We’re very grateful for the assistance provided here. In the past Mr Adams has been very helpful and supportive to us,” the top cop added.
TRAFFIC CASES – CCTV CAMERAS
He also noted that thousands of traffic cases were also successfully prosecuted with the aid of the CCTV cameras.
Further, Crime Chief Blanhum said that the wireless link would allow live access to cameras strategically placed on both ends of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
He noted that the police have already recorded a number of successes, thanks to the use of Harbour Bridge footage, and he expressed thanks to General Manager Adams for the support given over the years.
According to Crime Intelligence Unit Officer-in-Charge, Brian Adams, the establishment of a wireless link with the Police Force was one that had been in the works for more than a year.
He said that he had been approached by Superintendent Phillip Azore in 2014 to extend the Demerara Harbour Bridge feed and in 2015 work began on the project.
By early December 2015, the project was completed. The project saw the erection of a 100ft tower at Eve Leary which links the bodies. (rrooplall@guyanachronicle.com)

By Rabindra Rooplall