Nashik police appeal to citizens to install CCTV cameras

Nashik: The city police have issued a fresh appeal to housing societies, traders, and vendors to install CCTV cameras that cover the streets adjacent to their properties. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the city's surveillance web and deter criminal activity. Under the flagship initiative, ‘One CCTV for the City,' the police department is fostering a successful collaboration between law enforcement and the public. Last year alone, over 2,000 cameras were installed across Nashik through a combination of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds and active public participation. Senior police officers emphasised that road-facing cameras installed by private entities have already proven vital in solving high-profile cases.Earlier this month, following a victim's complaint on social media regarding an incident on Gangapur Road, police analysed CCTV footage to identify and arrest 24-year-old Himanshu Jha under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In another major breakthrough last month, the Ambad police dismantled a unit of the notorious ‘Irani' gang. The members allegedly impersonated police officers to cheat senior citizens and women of their jewelry. Police have linked the gang to at least 58 similar cases, many of which were cracked using private surveillance feeds."Housing societies and traders are expected to strengthen their private CCTV networks to assist in continuous monitoring," a senior officer said.Nashik police commissioner Sandeep Karnik noted that many residents, NGOs, and local firms have already stepped up. "Residents and organisations have already begun installing road-facing cameras. This collective effort will significantly improve crime control and speed up investigations," Karnik said.