Government signs $4m deal to upgrade island’s CCTV network
The Government has signed a $4 million deal to upgrade the island’s CCTV network, the Minister of National Security told MPs yesterday.
Michael Weeks told the House that Digicel Bermuda was awarded the contract to upgrade the network and provide a managed maintenance service plan at a cost of $4,047,440.
He said the upgrade was expected to take less than 25 weeks and would have “a soft roll-out over the Cup Match holiday and will be fully operational before the Christmas holiday period”.
The minister said the CCTV network will run on Digicel’s fibre and LTE networks and that the 247 new cameras include facial and license plate recognition, PTZ (Pan/Tilt/Zoom), Multisensory, and Varifocal technology.
However, it will not yet be able to monitor speeds but “has the potential to have software features added on to it that can tackle road traffic offences”.
Mr Weeks told the House: “A single multisensory camera has four fully functional cameras in one and can cover a larger area whilst maintaining clarity.
"The new cameras are perfect for video monitoring applications where lots of detail is needed.
“Additionally, the new CCTV network will have all the necessary software to manage the new cameras, and will also include a video management system, and brief cam analytics.
“The command, control, and communications centre will be composed of a control room with monitoring stations and a video wall with a communications cabinet.” The cameras will be monitored by the police.
The new network will also offer higher resolution and expanded coverage and will give the Bermuda Police Service “an opportunity to incorporate state-of-the-art technology to assist in tackling violent crime in Bermuda”.
“The primary objective of this project is to improve the security and surveillance capabilities of the BPS,” said the minister.
“This will be achieved by implementing advanced surveillance technology that aims to increase the BPS’s ability to monitor and respond to potential security threats, as well as enhance our forensic capabilities.”
Mr Weeks added: “It is important to note that the new network has the potential to have software features added on to it that can tackle road traffic offences.
“As we finalise the next steps for speed/red light detection, I will provide further updates to this Honourable House.”
Under questioning from One Bermuda Alliance MP Scott Pearman, the minister said using the system for road offences such as speeding and jumping red lights would form part of the second phase of the project.
However, he did not say when work on phase two would start.
The first public CCTV system was implemented in Bermuda in 1991 and was upgraded in 2014 to incorporate island-wide coverage.
In February 2022, the Government committed $1 million to upgrade the network.
The cost of the Digicel contract is in two parts: the first, total equipment and installation at a cost of $1,035,500.00; and two, a five-year managed maintenance services plan valued at $602,388 annually.
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