Sector 63 residents playing crime-safe

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 23

In a first in the city, Sector 63 residents are ensuring their own security by laying a network of CCTV cameras.

The new sector consists of Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) flats, which, the Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) says, are 2,100 in number. In the first phase, 42 cameras have covered eight blocks, consisting of 300 dwelling units.

The RWA has spent funds from its maintenance charges to install high-definition, night vision cameras, which cover the roads of the sector as well. Office-bearers of the resident’s body said they wanted to make the sector a model and encourage other sectors to follow suit. The goal is to make the sector free of crime as the cameras would act as deterrent and capture nefarious activity, if any.

There are 3BHK, 2BHK, 1BHK and EWS flats in the sector and the project has started from 3BHK houses.

Zorawar Singh, general secretary of the RWA, said initially, the crime rate in the area was high, which prompted them to take this step.

“Snatching and theft cases in the area were very high even as we had security guards. Hence, we decided to set up a network of cameras, which will not only help keep check on crime but also improve the conviction rate.”

Residents said initially, a lot of houses were empty and thieves made off with taps and other items lying there. Paying guest culture, along with non-verification of tenants, was becoming a nuisance. However, now CCTV footage helps the RWA keep a check on occupants of houses and get these vacated in case they found something amiss. “We give our inputs to the police, who get the house vacated,” said Zorawar, adding that 21 houses had been vacated till date for such reasons.

Zorawar said certain gang members were also residing in the sector, which came to light after their arrest. In view of this, they wanted to prevent the sector from becoming a safe haven for criminals.

At present, there are eight DVRs, which have 16 channels. Thus, 128 cameras can be installed with the existing infrastructure. There are a total of 23 blocks in the sector and the RWA plans to set up as many DVRs so that the entire sector could be brought under CCTV surveillance.