Businesses in Suva are taking significant steps to improve security as they install an additional 20 CCTV cameras that will be directly linked to the Totogo Police Station by the end of the week. This initiative, announced by the Suva Retailers Association, represents a collaborative effort with the Fiji Police Force to enhance safety in the capital city as the busy festive season approaches.
Jitesh Patel, President of the Association, noted the challenges in coordinating with different stakeholders but expressed optimism regarding the installation progress. “We have 20 plus that we have put up, and by this week, all will be connected to Totogo. We are running a cable that will connect them to the police,” Patel explained.
Simultaneously, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has been urging local municipalities and retail groups throughout Fiji to cooperate in improving safety and security nationwide. He emphasized that the police operations center is functioning effectively, stating, “The operation center is well and good and we are monitoring all cameras connected to us.”
The police are also in discussions with municipal administrators across the country to explore new strategies for enhancing safety in urban areas. Commissioner Tudravu reiterated the Fiji Police Force’s commitment to public safety and encouraged everyone to play a role in ensuring their communities remain secure.
This forward-thinking security strategy in Suva builds on earlier initiatives, such as the installation of 40 advanced CCTV cameras throughout the city’s central business district. According to Suva City Council Chairman Tevita Boseiwaqa, these high-tech systems will have capabilities similar to advanced surveillance measures used in other parts of Australia, designed to identify known offenders and provide extensive coverage of vital commercial zones from Nabukalou Bridge to Walu Bay Bridge.
These initiatives underscore a broader aim by the Fiji Police to modernize policing efforts through the incorporation of advanced surveillance technology to boost crime detection and prevention. With growing optimism among community members about the potential benefits of these security enhancements, both business owners and residents are hopeful that such measures will result in safer surroundings and ultimately lead to a decrease in crime rates in Suva.