Technical issues with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras can hinder police investigations, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokadroka, the Divisional Police Commander. He noted that the Northern Command Centre is connected to CCTV systems at various points in Labasa Town to help monitor potential criminal activities.
SSP Baledrokadroka emphasized that while the police strive to gather all necessary information, occasional technical failures can delay investigations. In relation to a recent assault case involving a taxi driver in Labasa Town on September 3, he mentioned that CCTV footage played a crucial role in the arrest of the suspect the following Wednesday.
The assaulted taxi driver, Aiyaz Din Mohammed, 31, sustained facial injuries during the incident. SSP Baledrokadroka encouraged local businesses to install CCTV cameras to improve surveillance for their security and aid the police in gathering information.
He called for increased public-police collaboration in sharing information about crime suspects. Mahen Prasad, chairman of the Labasa Taxi Association, echoed the need for police vigilance, particularly among traffic officers, to prevent similar assaults in the future.
Prasad noted that while police are monitoring the situation, taxi drivers are also contributing by reporting illegal taxi operators. These unauthorized operators run private vehicles as taxis without proper permits. He remarked that many individuals in Labasa engage in this illegal practice and asserted that such operations must cease.