Senator Novelle Francis on Tuesday reintroduced legislation that would install surveillance cameras at major intersections across the territory, according to a release for the senator’s office.
The bill which Mr. Francis initially introduced during the 32nd Legislature, is one of several he is proposing that could proactively reduce crime and create a safer community, the release said.
“When this bill was introduced last term, we heard a lot of push back as to why we were not ready and why it could not work for our community,” Mr. Francis said. “Today, I believe that we are more than ready, given the current crime atmosphere in our community. The presence of these surveillance cameras can be a key way of making inroads in our response to crime and deterring future criminal activities.”
Mr. Francis said based on his 25 years of experience as a law enforcement officer, he sees surveillance cameras as a solid, proven strategy to fight crime, the release further stated.
“As we rebuild our infrastructure and tap into ways to better protect our residents and visitors, we need to use the benefits of technology,” he said. “This is the 21st century, and while we ask our residents to play their role and be the eyes and ears of the police, camera footage gives eye-witness accounts of occurrences that are reliable and unbiased especially in situations where a witness is afraid to testify in court.”
Three-term senator is hoping his colleagues and stakeholders will see the merits of the measure, which he said benefits the public safety of these islands.
Tags: surveillance, usvi
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