LAUNCH OF ENGLISH HARBOUR/FALMOUTH CCTV SECURITY SYSTEM.
Friday 23rd April 2010
In February of 2009 a Committee was set up to consider the introduction of CCTV cameras in the English Harbour and Falmouth areas. Consultations with more than 30 yacht skippers supported the idea of increased security as part of enhancing the overall product and experience for visiting yachts.
The Committee determined that security, or the lack thereof, also affects everyone in English Harbour/Falmouth and that making a significant investment in the security of the area was about protecting the future of everyone living and working in the area together with the revenues gained from the yachting sector.
Since that time, following a formal process of accepting tenders, the Committee decided on a consortium to deliver the venture and are delighted to say today that we finally have the CCTV system in place and operational. A total of 16 cameras have been installed in strategic locations throughout the area and a monitoring centre is in place recording activity in the vicinity of every camera.
The original plan was to launch the scheme earlier in the season but various delivery and installation problems caused delays. It was agreed to formally announce that the cameras are in place just prior to the start of Sailing Week when we have a large influx of people into the English Harbour/Falmouth area. There are still some tweaks to do such as adjusting heights and angles of the cameras to ensure we are getting the optimum results from the system but, we wanted to advise residents and our visitors that the system is fully operational.
The original budget was EC$160,000 but this was for only eight cameras. As the scheme developed the demand for extra cameras rose and so did the budget. The eventual cost was over EC$270,000. The community effort was superb raising just over EC$140,000 and the National Parks Authority who has spearheaded the project matched the community effort by it's contributions of EC$137,000 to date. The Committee would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed but, unfortunately, we still need a little more towards the maintenance and upkeep of the project..
As part of the launch we are seeking partners from the business community who may be interested in branding the signs advising that CCTV cameras are in operation. We feel this is an opportunity for the signs to be sponsored by our business partners and friends. It completes the full requirements for the system to be in place and assists us in raising funds towards our final total.
Minister for St. Paul’s, Eleston Adams said “I am so impressed and pleased to see the business community coming together to achieve such a significant milestone of installing a security network within the National Parks. It can only improve the quality of life for all of our residents, as well as our visitors”.
As with most business operations, throughout the recession we have been looking at new and more effective ways to make the area secure and today we are one stop closer to that goal.
