1 A high-tech crime fighting scheme using closed-circuit television to monitor Hamilton has received a boost through a local utility firm's contribution.

The Bermuda Electric Light Company has donated use of its fibre-optic system to the Corporation of Hamilton so it can install a CCTV system.

The donation means the $1.25 million project, which will see cameras attached to city buildings monitoring activity in the streets, should be up and running by September.

Mayor of Hamilton William Frith said: "Their generous offer has helped to guarantee the viability of the CCTV project which I believe will provide extra security in Hamilton and be of benefit to the whole community.'' Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt added: "This is an offer that has saved us several hundred thousand dollars in cost.

"When we first started talking about installing the CCTV system, we looked at the different kinds of systems and qualities that were available.'' A fibre-optic system was chosen as it leant itself to the production of high-quality pictures and the transmission of large amounts of data.

"We were looking at how we could provide a fibre-optic system which would have to be connected to buildings all around the city centre.

"Belco came forward and offered to work with the City of Hamilton.'' Belco agreed to provide the Corporation with access to the fibre-optic system it was planning to install around the city, said president and CEO Gary Madeiros.

He added the fibre-optic cable was actually leased to Quantum Communications -- which Belco owns 45 percent of -- under a 21-year agreement and leased to the Corporation on a five year basis.

Mr. Frith said: "Having access to their state-of-the-art fibre-optic system has made it possible to connect all of the proposed 30 CCTV cameras directly to the Police Headquarters at Prospect giving us excellent quality images, and the ability to continue to expand the system in future.'' The initial phase of CCTV will not cover the North of Hamilton, which is more residential than the city centre, after meeting opposition from the North Hamilton Business Association and the United Bar Owners' Association.

But Mr. Sherratt noted: "Once we have the first phase installed and up and running and it has proven effective in reducing crime, hopefully we can persuade residents and businesses in North Hamilton to support an extension of the system.'' He pointed out that individual businesses and residents from the area had voiced approval for the scheme.

The first stage of the system should be up and running within three to four months, continued Mr. Sherratt.

"We still have some work to do in linking each camera installation location to the main fibre-optic ring, but this is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.'' Instalation of the system is expected to be completed by September.

The CCTV project is a partnership project between Government and the Corporation.

Government is providing half the funding for the project and the Police will monitor all the cameras around the clock from a special room at Police Headquarters.

Government and the Corporation will also pay a maintenance fee annually to Quantum while renting the system from Belco for $1 a year.

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