Thumbs-up for CCTV invention

21 June 2010 , By The Star

Police and security firms have welcomed the invention of a new special CCTV camera, saying it would help greatly in crime prevention and crime solving.

Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff described the device as “a brilliant invention” by Universiti Teknoloji Malaysia (UTM).

“The camera will help enhance our efforts in evidence gathering, identifying criminals as well as bringing them to justice. The resolution of current CCTVs in use is very low and when played back, the image of the suspects is unclear and difficult to identify,” he told The Star.

DCP Mohd Mokhtar said police would work closely with UTM to learn more about the device’s capabilities.

“We hope to set up a meeting with UTM as soon as possible, as this device is set to be the future in CCTV technology,” he said.

Chico Force Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Perkasa Juniur Khoo said the new enhanced camera would definitely boost security surveillance.

“The new camera will help security companies provide better surveillance for clients. We are certainly interested in acquiring such cameras if it is marketed and cost-effective,” he said.

Khoo, whose company has a 1,000-strong workforce, however, said such high-definition cameras would only be effective if they were backed up with proper live monitoring.

“You can have the best camera but if the monitoring is not done well, it will come to nothing. CCTVs must be installed at crime-prone areas and monitored live,” he added.

UTM senior lecturer Dr Zulkepli Majid, who heads the university’s Engineering and Geo Information Science Faculty, said UTM hoped to jointly market the camera with an international electronics company.

He said representatives from the university would be holding talks with a few well-known companies about the marketability of the product.

“We have scheduled a meeting with a major Japanese-based electronic company within the next two weeks,’’ he added.

“The camera with its software has the ability to record and identify suspects or vehicles with speed and accuracy,” he said, adding that the unit only required maintenance every six months.

The camera, which uses a combination of technologies including high-definition imaging, infrared filters and 3D stereo adapters, is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.

The gadget, which costs about RM6,000, is capable of accurately measuring height, size and facial features of people within minutes.