In an effort to combat rising urban insecurity in Douala, the largest city in Cameroon, an annex facility of the National Command and Control Centre for Video Surveillance has been inaugurated. The facility, operationalized by Ferdinand Ngoh NGO, the Minister of State, Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, aims to bolster security measures through the utilization of live facial recognition technology.
Improving Urban Safety with Artificial Intelligence
The facility is part of the “Cameroon Intelligence Cities” project, which aims to deploy artificial intelligence-based technologies to enhance the quality of life and convenience for urban residents across the country. Douala experiences frequent incidents of traffic accidents and armed robberies. The project, managed by the National Delegation for National Security (DGSN), receives technical support from Chinese tech giant Huawei and CAMTEL, Cameroon’s state-owned telecommunications services company.
Enhancing Police Performance and Safety of Citizens
During the launch ceremony, Ferdinand Ngoh NGO emphasized the significance of the smart cities project, designed to enhance the operational capacity of the Cameroonian police and enable them to effectively monitor urban disorders that compromise citizen safety. The facility features a “triple play” communication system, enabling the real-time transmission of sound, images, and video from CCTV cameras installed throughout the city.
State-of-the-Art Surveillance Infrastructure
As part of the project, 3,000 CCTV cameras have already been installed, along with 95 base stations, two command and control centers, and eight regional centers. The cameras, strategically placed across the city, capture criminal activities, traffic accidents, and any other form of urban disorder that may require prompt police intervention. The collected data is processed in real-time through artificial intelligence algorithms, allowing for facial recognition and vehicle identification. This advanced technology enables predictive analysis of potential threats and crime prevention.
Expansion Plans
The project envisions the installation of 5,000 surveillance cameras across all ten regions of the country, linked to 17 command rooms. Furthermore, it aims to construct command and data centers in each regional capital, establish base stations, and interconnect police services. Towns such as Armchide, Bafoussam, Bamenda, Bertoua, Buea, Ebolowa, Fotokol, Garoua, Garoua-Boulai, Kenzou, Kousseri, Kribi, and Kye-Ossi are already covered by the video surveillance system, particularly in border areas where insecurity is prevalent.
While the project has received positive feedback for its potential to enhance security, concerns have been raised by digital rights activists regarding data privacy and security. Cameroon lacks specific legislation on personal data protection, leading to apprehension regarding the handling of biometric data. Additionally, there are fears that the surveillance system could be misused to suppress peaceful protests and target protest leaders, undermining civil liberties in the country. However, officials emphasize the project’s focus on improving public safety and addressing urban crime.
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