Long-awaited CCTV cameras are still not up and running in Court Street, months after the original target date.

As has previously reported, Labour and Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton and then Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith announced a venture to extend coverage to both the Court Street and Pitts Bay Road areas last October. The nine cameras were originally meant to begin monitoring these areas in January.

However, this has been delayed by what the Police have described as ?challenges? in implementing the project, including delays with trenches being dug.

After Hamilton Mayor Jay Bluck criticised the delay last week, the Police said service providers had assured them that the cameras would be running by June 18.

However, spokesman Dwayne Caines confirmed on Wednesday that the cameras are still not operational.

?They have run into a technical glitch that they are trying to rectify. They are working feverishly to put it up,? he said. However, he was unable to provide a date by which the project is likely to be completed.

Steve Simons, chairman of the Uptown Market Association which is working to revitalise the Court Street area, said he was disappointed with the delay but understood the difficulties of liaising with numerous service providers.

Mr. Simons, who is also managing director of the Spinning Wheel entertainment complex, hopes that the reassurance provided by the cameras will encourage more tourists to attend events such as the live music at his venue on Monday and Tuesday nights.

?People need to feel a sense of security and that?s not just for legal violations, but for help services to be able to respond in times of need. It will be a very good thing,? he said.