NADI needs more police officers patrolling its streets to improve public safety, with business leaders warning that CCTV surveillance alone cannot prevent crime.
Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Lawrence Kumar has welcomed the Nadi Town Council’s installation of surveillance cameras at strategic entry points around the town but says greater police visibility is equally important.
“What we really should be focusing on is the physical presence of police officers in our streets,” Mr Kumar said.
He raised concerns about public safety following the discovery of a young woman’s body in Nadi on Thursday, saying the case highlighted the importance of having officers on the ground.
“These types of crimes would not be happening if we have more officers on the ground.”
Mr Kumar said while CCTV cameras could strengthen surveillance and assist monitoring, they should complement, rather than replace, regular police patrols.
“I welcome the installation of the cameras but that is only the monitoring aspect of security. We need more officers patrolling our streets.”
The Nadi Town Council’s initiative aims to strengthen security around the town and create a safer environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
However, the installation has drawn mixed reactions from businesses and residents, with questions raised about whether surveillance measures alone are sufficient to address security concerns.
Police investigations into the discovery of a woman’s body are continuing. Police have confirmed that a postmortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death.
