Third eye network expands in Kozhikode to keep an eye on drug peddlers-OxBig News Network

A spike in drug trafficking cases and the emergence of new drug hotspots have prompted local administrators and residents’ associations to strengthen the CCTV surveillance network in vulnerable areas of Kozhikode district. The police and various anti-narcotics enforcement squads have welcomed the move, noting that it can help gather crucial evidence from suspected spots.

Vadakara municipality has installed 20 new cameras at key locations within its limits. These will become operational within a couple of days and will be monitored from a control room set up at the municipality’s office-cum-shopping complex in the town centre. The project was made possible with an allocation of ₹20 lakh from the municipal Budget.

“The locations were selected strategically to track the suspicious movements of anti-social elements, drug users, and carriers. Proper maintenance will be ensured for uninterrupted surveillance,” said a local body member who spearheaded the project. He added that more areas would be covered in the future with public participation.

Efforts are also under way in the municipal limits of Koyilandy, Payyoli, Mukkom, and Ramanattukara to upgrade the existing CCTV network. In many places, merchants and residents’ associations have come together to raise funds to address safety concerns. Increasingly, residents are also installing private cameras to ensure adequate coverage of nearby roads.

“It’s impossible for the police to patrol all areas at night. Residents are well aware of the vulnerable spots where anti-social elements or drug peddlers gather. These areas can be brought under surveillance effectively through collective efforts,” said Vinod Neendoor, a merchant in Vadakara. He added that merchants and residents are fully supportive of the new surveillance initiatives. Police officers from Vadakara and Payyoli stations said there is potential to link all surveillance cameras to a police control room in the future for enhanced monitoring. This would require cooperation from all camera operators. Similar proposals are also being considered in Kozhikode city for a more comprehensive camera-based surveillance system.

However, some residents have expressed concerns about linking their cameras to a police control room, citing privacy issues and the frequent retrieval of hard disks for crime investigations. They suggest that the police install cameras in public areas with the support of sponsors and bring those under a unified control room for better outcomes.