The procurement process for an advanced islandwide CCTV surveillance system in Anguilla is now underway, with all necessary documents officially submitted.
Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge made the announcement at a press conference on 26 May, but added that it may take several weeks to complete.
The announcement comes following a recent spike in gun crime on the island, with two murders, at least two shootings and several armed robberies reported over the past month.
During a previous press conference on 14 May, infrastructure minister José Vanterpool confirmed that the procurement documents were completed.
“We will be pushing to ensure that this process is wrapped up and we can get some tangible implementation, some progress towards implementation within the next few weeks,” he said.
However, he stressed that he could not provide any definitive dates.
An outcry
Vanterpool said that the recent rise in violent crime has resulted in a “significant outcry” from the public about the need for a modern CCTV system.
It was one of the recommendations that came from the Gun Crime and Violence Committee’s report that was presented in the Anguilla House of Assembly in April 2024.
The minister said that EC$1 million had been allocated for the system in last year’s budget, through the Governor’s Office which oversees internal security.
The procurement documents were sent out in October 2024 with a deadline of 4 December, but were later withdrawn after bidders requested clarifications.
“A consultant was engaged to help tighten up the procurement document,” Vanterpool said, adding that site visits were conducted and the documents were revised.
Meanwhile, some of the funds allocated for the system had been redirected to complete and open the Joint Emergency Services Control Room.
Vanterpool said the process has since “slowed or held up”, but assured that while the situation predates his administration, it is now the current government’s responsibility to address it.
