Even residents who aren’t law-abiding should embrace CCTV cameras watching their every move in case they become victims of crime.This was the message from National Security Wayne Perinchief as he sang the praises of round-the-clock surveillance to police officers and residents yesterday.Mr Perinchief said cameras were put in place to help improve the quality of life for all residents, including those involved in illegal activities.He said even drug-dealers should be thankful for cameras because they may one day find “someone sneaking up and doing them from behind”.Mr Perinchief spoke out in response to plans to put up a camera outside Elliott Primary School in Hermitage Road, Devonshire.Some residents are “not so keen” to have CCTV on their doorsteps even though the cameras have become an integral part of crime control.Mr Perinchief said: “CCTV can be controversial, some people want them and some people do not.“But even those who are engaging in not so nice behaviour should welcome them.“Cameras are completely neutral, they see everything and everyone. They are there to help us all and stamp out antisocial behaviour.”Mr Perinchief yesterday met with Community Action Team police officers and members of Neighbourhood Watch groups to garner feedback.Frank Dublin, interim chairman of the Hermitage Road Neighbourhood Watch group, said they were in the early stages of working with their MP to erect a camera outside Elliott Primary School. But he said there had been “mixed feelings” from the community with some individuals “feeling very apprehensive about it”.Mr Dublin said some residents had not returned to Neighbourhood Watch meetings since the issue had first been mentioned.Mr Dublin said the CCTV cameras would prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, but he can “suspect why” some people aren’t so keen.Cameras are operational throughout Bermuda, including Front and Court Streets in Hamilton and the St Monica’s Road area of Pembroke.Vernon Wears, who is co-chairman of the Friswell’s Hill United Community Group in Pembroke, added: “We have cameras and it’s beautiful. We’d actually love to have a few more.”Mr Perinchief said he was “encouraged” to hear the number of Neighbourhood Watch groups had increased from 50 to about 100 in just six months.He told the round-table meeting at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Roberts Avenue, Devonshire, that he was “old school” and liked the idea of Neighbourhood Watch groups working closely with the police and parish councils.Mr Perinchief said: “The long-term effect of Neighbourhood Watch groups is that they can change Bermuda as a community.“They can change things from the bottom up rather than the top down. These groups have the energy to go into the communities and make things happen.”Mr Dublin said he had helped to set up the Hermitage Road Neighbourhood Watch group about five months ago.He said there were only a handful of “very committed” members but they’d already held a games night and were holding a community clean-up on Saturday.Mr Dublin said: “Our main objective is to get the people in the community together, we want to get everyone to interact and to get to know one another.”Mr Dublin’s wife Sharon, who is secretary of the group, added: “What we’re really concerned about is building a community of trust, I think we’ve moved away from that.“People go to work then they come home, that’s it, we want everyone to coexist and have a good quality of life.”Mr Perinchief said Neighbourhood Watch groups were standing up to Bermuda’s violent criminals by “going out there and reclaiming their turf.”He said: “Who is going to own the land? Is it going to be the community or the gang members? Communities have to take a stand.“Every parish has a part to play, everyone should get together to make sure they are on the same page.”He told the Neighbourhood Watch members: “Don’t give up, you have to keep doing what you are doing.”