Police have installed 15 sets of surveillance cameras in Mong Kok to enhance crime prevention and public safety, after the force planned to set up CCTV cameras at 615 locations across the city.
One of the surveillance cameras was installed at the junction of Soy Street and Shanghai Street. It was mounted on a lamppost next to a traffic light, with a label indicating that CCTV operations were underway.
Some citizens supported the installation of cameras on major streets, believing that it could safeguard personal safety and not worry about privacy issues.
Resident To noted that there were various security issues, such as drug addicts, and believed the cameras would help combat crime without compromising privacy.
Citizen Cheng suggested the police provide signs in areas with CCTV cameras to make them identifiable to the public.
Police said the locations selected for the CCTV installations usually have higher crime rates and heavy pedestrian traffic. The remaining 600 sets will be installed gradually starting mid-year.
In response to concerns about potential privacy infringements, the force clarified that the cameras will only capture public areas and are not currently equipped with tracking capabilities.
It stated that the recorded footage would be automatically deleted after 30 days.
In addition, the police are developing comprehensive and stringent internal guidelines to provide clear and rigorous supervision for operating the CCTV system, and officers will be trained to manage the video management system.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 