Police on Sunday opened a special surveillance center in the south of the country, equipped to monitor the CCTV cameras in every island of Addu City.
The new center inaugurated by Police Commissioner Ali Shujau falls under the jurisdiction of the police southern regional command which also includes Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Fuvahmulah City.
According to the police service, this center will considerably ease the process for the people to seek services and provide information to the police.
In addition to linking the police services of all the islands under the southern regional command, the center is equipped to monitor the CCTV cameras already installed in Addu City, which also includes Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo islands.
Speaking to PSM News after the inauguration, Commissioner Shujau said the first of its kind beyond the capital Male’, this center will bring the police service closer to the people it serves.
He added that this center will enable the police to monitor the entire city round the clock, through the over 300 CCTV cameras installed in Addu City.
"This is a 24-hour surveillance centre. Our staff will work here 24 hours a day. Anytime we identify something suspicious with the help of these cameras, police will start working from there,” Shujau explained.
South Division Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shameem said the center will boost the trust between the police and the people.
"If a person who calls the center wants to keep their information confidential, we will honour that. Therefore, the center will facilitate the trust and confidence between the police and the people,” he said
The center will also significantly expedite the delivery of services to the people, police said.