1,000 AI-Powered Surveillance Cameras Set for September Integration

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ rollout of 1,000 new surveillance cameras is on track for completion in September. As we reported earlier this year, the ministry is collaborating with Belize Telemedia Limited on the installation of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in tourist destinations and crime hot spots across the country. The cameras are part of a greater effort to address the rising levels of violent crime. During his recent appearance on The Morning Show, Minister Kareem Musa said that the cameras will be utilizing AI technology to identify potential threats and alert law enforcement.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “Yes we do have the Electronic Evidence Act which provides for cameras and electronic evidence whether it’s emails, where it’s photographs, to be tendered into evidence to be utilized. So the cameras we do have approximately 200 of them that are currently working, those have been in place over the last eight or so years but we are uploading 1,000 new CCTV cameras and by September of this year those ones will be operational as well. 200 are based in Belize City but the 1,000 that are being uploaded at the moment are across the country including big cities Belmopan, Belize City, the towns I believe Corozal, Orange Walk, Dangriga, tourist destinations San Pedro, Hopkins, Placencia and Caye Caulker I think. So we have created a special unit for that and the command center is in Belmopan and the individual that’s currently charged with that among other duties is Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr.Grinage, he’s in charge of that unit. It has AI features in there so if you see a large crowd gathering it will notify the camera monitor to check out this issue. It has the AI capability if somebody is throwing a fist for instance it has the ability to detect that and to ring an alarm for you to check that particular camera. So it’s quite impressive technology that we’re using.”

The cameras complement the Ministry’s push for technological upgrades, which also includes strengthening the country’s 911 National Response System under the CABEI-funded Belize Integral Security Program. This will enhance real-time dispatch for fire and medical emergencies