€3 million has been released for the "red zones." The Ministry is paying for the maintenance of all existing systems, after years of criticality. The challenge: ensuring shared access for all law enforcement agencies for faster interventions.
Naples – An electronic armor of 1.200 eyes to guard Naples. This was the snapshot taken yesterday at the Municipal Police Commission, where the strengthening of the city's video surveillance was reviewed.
Currently, 950 cameras and license plate readers are operational, but this number is expected to grow significantly within a few months, with a total investment of 3 million euros that will lead to the installation of another 248 devices, concentrated in the "red zones" with the highest crime rates.
The turning point after years of abandonment
The news that changed the fate of a system that had often been "blind" for years was the intervention of the Ministry of the Interior, which assumed responsibility for the management and repair costs of all existing equipment. This move overcame the main problem: the chronic lack of funding for maintenance, finally ensuring the network's full functionality.
The funds and the new installations
The strengthening plan is structured on several financial fronts:
€2 million from the Security Fund for the installation of 248 new cameras, 137 of which are automatic license plate readers.
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€1 million from the POC (Complementary Operational Programme) for further installations, the tender for which has already been launched.
€500 from a protocol between the Ministry of the Interior and the Campania Region, earmarked for a new facility in the Camaldoli area, a strategic location for combating residential burglaries.
The timing and the commitment of the Municipality
Procedures are in full swing. The new operator for the ministerial cameras is expected to take over in January. The contract for those covered by the Security Fund will be signed by the end of November. To prevent recurring blackouts, the Municipality has committed to covering ordinary and extraordinary maintenance with its own resources for at least five years, ensuring operational continuity.
Urban security and investigations
The municipal administration emphasized that the network, created in close collaboration with law enforcement, is not an end in itself, but rather a "support for investigative activities and urban security," with the goal of preventing and combating crime in the most sensitive areas.
The open questions in the Commission
During the debate, city councilors raised key points, from the need to involve local representatives to the request for more timely use of already available imagery. Clarity regarding connectivity costs and the possibility of compensating companies that damage systems during roadworks were also discussed. Another key issue: the clear distinction between public safety systems and traffic control systems.
The challenge of interconnection
Finally, the heart of the operational challenge: effective interconnection between the various police forces. The councilors have called for full and shared access to images by the Municipal Police, Police Headquarters, and Carabinieri. Only an integrated data flow can enhance real-time intervention capacity, transforming cameras from mere "witnesses" into active security tools.
Comments (1)
The news about the investment in cameras and video surveillance in Naples is important, but there are questions about how the images will be used and whether there will be enough funding for long-term maintenance. Citizens deserve security.