CCTV Surge Strategy: DMP Plans 11,000-Camera Crime Control Grid

The acting commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Md. Sarwar, has announced a plan to install 11,000 CCTV cameras across the capital to curb crime and ensure public safety.

He made this significant announcement on Thursday, 23 April, while attending as the chief guest at the inauguration of a temporary police camp in Basila, Mohammadpur, and the “Open House Day” program of Mohammadpur Police Station.

In the context of a recent rise in juvenile gangs, snatching, and terrorist activities in Mohammadpur and other areas of the capital, the police have adopted this firm stance. The DMP commissioner stated that the current government is set to approve this large-scale project to install 11,000 CCTV cameras soon. In particular, to prevent crime in the crime-prone Mohammadpur area, work on installing 700 CCTV cameras under government initiative will begin shortly.

Addressing the residents of Basila, he urged them to install cameras around their homes on their own initiative, noting that increased surveillance would make Dhaka city safer.

While speaking, Md. Sarwar also pledged to establish another new police outpost to better control the law and order situation in Mohammadpur. He said that additional forces and senior officers have already been deployed in 50 police stations across the capital.

Highlighting that the police are adopting special strategies to suppress criminals, he said that law enforcement agencies already have a list of criminals in the Mohammadpur area. By analyzing sources of income and identifying those who control criminal activities through illegal earnings, swift action will be taken.

Responding to a question regarding the situation in Geneva Camp and the use of sharp weapons by juvenile gangs, the DMP commissioner confirmed that intelligence activities and joint operations—by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Detective Branch (DB), and police—are ongoing. Bringing criminals under the law has now been taken as a “challenge” by the DMP.

Additionally, to prevent disorder on the roads, he called on conscious citizens to avoid using autorickshaws and urged city residents to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order.

DBTech/SM/EK/OR