Taipei cops launch $68.9M GPS-enabled surveillance

Police in Taipei have started using a combination of Global Positioning System, Geographic Information System and security cameras and satellite images to boost their anticrime efforts. The New Taipei Police activated these technologies Wednesday in their cutting-edge Intelligence Integrated Center (IIC), Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported. New Taipei Deputy Mayor Hou Yu-ih estimated the installation of the new surveillance system will cost NT$2 billion (US$68.94 million), but said the benefits will outweigh the cost. The CNA report said the IIC can integrate information provided by GPS, GIS and the “110" hotline telephone reporting system, to pinpoint the location of an incident so police can be quickly dispatched there. Also, the center can compile images from more than 13,354 digital cameras in the road surveillance system, which will be boosted by an additional 27,000 high resolution cameras by 2014. CNA said an image monitoring system automatically matches facial pictures with identity card records and other databases, to help identify suspects and track criminal activity. Hou added a fast-search system will also help cut the number of officers needed to investigate a case and will increase police efficiency. If a surveillance camera is damaged or malfunctions, it will send a warning signal to the center through GIS to alert the police. But the CNA report said some critics expressed concern that the new surveillance system will put personal privacy at risk, and that hackers could gain people’s personal information. It added others were uncomfortable with the thought of being constantly monitored on camera. However, the police said only authorized officers will have access to the system and that activity in the system will be automatically recorded to prevent illegal access. — TJD, GMA News