The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 1,000 Bahamians have registered their security cameras with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), part of an expanding surveillance initiative aimed at tackling crime through real-time monitoring.

The push is being led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Zhivargo Dames, who has repeatedly called for residents and businesses to enrol.

The initiative is powered by FUSUS, a platform launched in 2023 that links tools like CCTVs, ShotSpotter, body-worn cameras, drones, and electronic monitoring into a central command centre. Mr Dames said the system helps police access footage faster and respond more effectively to incidents.

Previous calls for public registration drew pushback from residents concerned about surveillance overreach and personal privacy.

Mr Dames said registering CCTV systems with the police allows residents to submit footage directly when incidents occur on or near their property. He added that once registered, people no longer need to wait for officers to request video, as the footage can be uploaded through the FUSUS platform.

Police say registration is voluntary and free. Residents can choose whether to share live access or provide footage after incidents. Even doorbell cameras can be linked.

When the programme launched, only 24 people had registered. Police say participation has since grown substantially, but more is needed to maximise coverage.

At launch, Mr Dames pointed to successes in other jurisdictions, noting that Atlanta saw more than 13,000 cameras added under a similar programme.

He described the system as offering “enhanced crime prevention, improved police response times (and) increased public safety community engagement”.