City bosses and police officials this week briefed about 40 international business leaders on a $1.35-million hi-tech answer to city crime.

The first phase of a closed circuit television system will be launched in the City by the fall.

The private presentation was held on Tuesday night in the Mayor's parlour at City Hall.

The scheme involves a partnership involving the government, the city and business.

Energy company Belco Holdings Ltd. donated the use of their fibre optic ring around Hamilton, creating a hi-tech connection to police headquarters at an estimated cost of $350,000.

The major expense for the scheme is the linking of the cameras to the ring and the establishment of the control system at Police Headquarters.

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs & Public Safety, Maxwell Burgess, yesterday told The Royal Gazette the installation contract has been awarded to local security firm, Bermuda Central Station Ltd.

He said, "Installation of the 30 camera system is expected to get underway very soon and completion is scheduled for October. The CCTV system will be of high quality, with the facility to record images on tape for use in court, but its primary purpose will be to deter crime and illegal activity.'' City officials produced a detailed map (see page 3) of proposed locations for the high-powered cameras.

This phase would include the monitoring of activity from Bermudiana Road to Court Street and from Front Street to Victoria Street. Seven cameras will be installed at the Bull's Head car park alone, improving night-time safety.

All the cameras will be monitored 24 hours a day by police, providing high quality images in real time up to a range of 80 to 100 yards. The cameras rotate and have full pan, tilt and zoom capability.

Business leaders also learned that actual "snapshots'' and video tape can be obtained from the equipment, and the cameras remain effective in low light or night-time conditions.

Mr. Burgess said, "The public are very supportive of this venture and we believe that once its benefits have been demonstrated there will be a demand for extensions to the system.

"In order to allay any residual fears of snooping, I can report that a publicly available code of conduct for confidentiality is being drawn up.'' The Corporation of Hamilton said the system is proven to reduce crime, was cost-effective and it would be relatively inexpensive to install additional cameras.

The city is seeking financial help from the business community in the raising of 25 percent of the $1.35-million cost for this first phase.

Roughly half of the money, $625,000, has already been pledged by Government, and the Corporation of Hamilton is on the block for $312,500. It is hoped that business sector donations will total some $312,500 as well.

Local companies have already invested $110,000, with 40 companies donating sums from $150 to $20,000.

Camera system ready for debut Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt said, "It was mainly executives of international companies at this meeting. We have had other events where we have discussed it with local businesses.'' Business leaders obtained a detailed understanding of how the system will reduce and deter city crime, monitor illegal and anti-social activities, monitor Hamilton docks against drug importation, improve security at cruise ship terminals and reduce cycle thefts.

Phase one covers the city centre, Hamilton docks and the Bull's Head car park.

There remains some uncertainty as to how many other phases will be required to cover how much more of the city site. Mr. Sherratt said, "There very well may be a series of additional phases in the future. There are two major areas of concern. One is obviously Court Street and the area to the north of Hamilton, where safety and security is definitely an issue. "The Corporation was very interested in putting cameras on Court Street. But we did have some resistance from a couple of groups in the Court Street area 18 months ago. We feel it is essential we have the goodwill of the people in the area before we install cameras.

"The other area is to the west of the city along Pitt's Bay Road to Princess Hotel.'' BIG BROTHER -- A Corporation of Hamilton map shows where the first 30 cameras in CCTV System are expected to be.

CRIME CRM