Minister Calls for Regulations Requiring Access to Private CCTV Footage in Criminal Investigations
IT Minister Melford Nicholas says the government will move to establish regulations compelling owners of private CCTV systems to provide footage to law enforcement when crimes occur, arguing that surveillance networks outside the state system have become too important to remain unregulated.
Speaking during the Budget Debate, Nicholas said several communities—most notably Pigeon Point—have installed their own camera systems to enhance neighbourhood safety.
He acknowledged that these networks have helped residents monitor suspicious activity but said they also highlight a gap in the legal framework when footage is needed for police investigations.
Nicholas told Parliament he intends to petition for regulations that would require private CCTV operators to make footage available upon request in cases involving criminal activity. He said the government must ensure that all surveillance resources, whether state-operated or privately installed, can support national crime detection and prosecution efforts.
The minister linked the proposal to the ongoing expansion of the government’s CCTV platform, noting that the national system has already assisted the Criminal Investigations Department in identifying suspects and supporting prosecutions. With an additional 200 cameras approved for installation, Nicholas said the government expects wider coverage and improved investigative capability.
He added that private systems should complement—not conflict with—the national surveillance network, especially as more communities turn to security cameras for protection.
Nicholas said clear rules would help streamline cooperation between residents and law enforcement and ensure that crucial evidence is not withheld or inaccessible.
He said the government’s priority is to make surveillance resources more effective and to ensure that investigations are not hindered by uncertainty over access to recordings.
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Why don’t the government use tax payers money an install camera system in the country, why force on tax payers to share there footage from the cameras they paid for from their pockets??We’re paying too much tax here in Antigua and Barbuda for not seeing our money worth……………Time for this government to goòoooò
What he is asking for already exist, it is called a subpoena. What you need to focus on is petitioning your ABLP government on putting in video and audio cameras themselfs in high risk areas. Stop bullying folks for what they have and take reasonable steps as the government.
Why are you guys just so incompetent and lazy. Leave the folks with their private video and audio and pressure your government with the deeper pocket to provide public safety. These private owners own you nothing.
I am happy constantly calling you ABLP people idiots. I genuine want to say you are a great party but I can’t honestly say this about you incompetent, lazy, unreasonable, unfair, selfish, etcetera ABLP.
My goodness, this is not strategically what you should focus on. Leave the people alone. It is not yours, leave them.
They need 2000 cameras not 200. This means employment for people.
I agree to the bill that private cctv systems should assist in fighting crimes.
You ignorant people will discourage private citizens from having video and audio cameras, risking their private matters being public.
Can ABLP be competent once? In the interest of the country, think before you speak and act. You make sick from the constantly incompetence and risking of lives unnecessarily.
…then people will just unplug their cameras. This goes against the idea of cooperation with law enforcement. At least pay a fee for the use of the people’s cameras.
With this cctv camera network, i gathered there will be a crew employed to sit and monitor these cameras, so that in the case of any active crime taking place, the police will be quickly notified, hence preventing a crime or catching a criminal in the act, instead of rewinding a video after the crime is committed, to witness an individual has been kidnapped and is now found dead.