Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley has disclosed details of a new $6.5 million contract to expand CCTV cameras Island-wide over the next five years.At a press conference yesterday, the Minister said the CCTV “crime-fighting tool” is not a “Big Brother intrusion into the lives of law abiding people”.He added that the new “enhanced system” will also be used to deal with speeding and traffic violations on Bermuda’s roads.“In October 2012, the Bermuda Police Service issued an RFP for an Island-wide CCTV system,” Mr Dunkley said.“Following an extensive and detailed procurement process, a recommendation was made to Cabinet in July of 2013 and a decision made to award the contract for CCTV to BAS-Serco Ltd. This followed four years during which GET Securities Ltd. had provided cameras and monitoring of the existing system.”The contract is worth $1.3million a year over the next five years.Mr Dunkley said that the two companies were now working together to ensure “a seamless transition”, and that coverage is not expected to be lost during the changeover.GET Security will continue to provide CCTV services, including maintenance and repair as well as monitoring for the remainder of this fiscal year, he said.“This initiative is designed to provide maximum coverage for Bermuda and to improve the safety and security of all of us”, Mr Dunkley said.“With this new contract, significantly wider coverage will be provided. The new contract calls for an increase of three times the existing number of cameras and the upgraded equipment will provide features like vehicle license plate recognition and higher resolution images for use in investigation and where necessary, prosecution.“The enhanced system can also provide a platform for other enforcement uses to deal with speeding and traffic violations.”“The use of cameras in the fight against crime is not new but like most technology, there is always room for improvement. The demands of policing today make it necessary for law enforcement to have access to the best equipment and most practical technology.“This Government is determined to support the police in their role of keeping Bermuda safe. This includes the use of CCTV cameras both as deterrents to those who would commit crimes and as an investigative tool after a crime has been committed. The Police cannot be everywhere and so the smart use of technology means more efficient management of police resources and a more cost-effective approach to policing.”