ISLAMABAD: Officials of the Safe City Project of Islamabad have been asked to assist the capital police in curbing the crime against property, Dawn has learnt.

The Safe City Project was asked to alert the police if it found criminal or suspicious activity in the city and assist the police in tracing and identifying the criminals.

Senior police officers told Dawn previously the Safe City Project had been providing assistance to the police in tracing and identify the culprits on the request of operation division and investigation wing.

Now Inspector General of Police Qazi Jamilur Rehman has asked the project to play its role in prevention of the crime, they added.

The IGP asked the officials of the project to keep an eye on criminals and suspicious elements, besides keeping an eye on roads through the CCTV cameras, the officers said, adding that “the police chief had asked them to alert and inform the police concerned and patrolling staff whenever it spotted any suspicious activity anywhere in the capital through its cameras.”

Besides, the Eagle Squad of capital police is also moving towards Smart Eagle Squad and would be connected with the project, they added.

During an informal conversation with Dawn, IGP Qazi Jamilur Rehman said the capital police had six smart cars, attached with the Safe City Project. The police have requested the government to provide another eight vehicles for similar use, he added.

Tab is also being arranged for the police, which will also be attached with the project, he said, adding that an app will be installed on the tap, carrying data bank of criminals, and data of Excise and Taxation Department.

The police officials will verify the status of suspects and suspicious vehicles on the spot, he added.

The capital police have requested the interior ministry to increase the number of CCTV cameras and manpower for the Safe City Project, he said, adding that police had sought an additional 4,000 cameras in the city.

The Safe City Project was approved in 2009 and since then the capital has expanded and its population increased sharply, the IGP said, adding that at present 1,905 cameras are installed on different roads, highways, important and sensitive installations and markets.

The cameras cover only 33percent area of the capital, Mr Rehman said, adding that being outdated, majority of the cameras do not have night vision devices.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021