Crime rate in City falls as Big Brother is watching

As Big Brother watches Hyderabad, the crime rate has fallen. Criminals are shying away from committing crimes because of the presence of CCTV cameras in the city. Some time ago, the police top brass said one CCTV camera is equivalent to 60 constables. The equation is apparently coming true. The crime rate fell by 14%, City Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy said on Saturday. He was speaking on the occasion of receipt of Rs 1 crore donation by the National Thermal Power Corporation for the installation of CCTV cameras for prevention of crime in Old City. Mahender Reddy said within 6 months, CCTV cameras would be installed in 30 police staton areas in Old City. He noted that now criminal elements were thinking twice about committing crimes. They are becoming aware that they are being watched. Mahender expressed confidence that 100,000 CCTV cameras would be installed in the world city of Hyderabad. The government had already invested Rs 1000 crore in the past 2 years for modernising policing in the city. The fusion of technology and policing would help in crime prevention. Thermal Corporation director UP Pani said on the occasion that CCTV cameras would go a long way in making Hyderabad a global city. He was therefore glad that his corporation had given a donation of Rs 1 crore for the purpose. Several NTPC officials participated in the programme organised at Kavadiguda police station.