The government will install 5,000 high-resolution cameras in the holy sites next year to monitor service provision and curb crime, according to Amin Naib, Assistant Deputy Mayor of Makkah for Financial Affairs. He said it will be similar to the Saher traffic system that is being used to tackle the country's high accident rate. The cameras will be installed on electricity poles and the roofs of buildings. The first phase will cost SR20 million. The authorities want to curb petty crimes such as stealing and pickpocketing which usually increases during the Umrah and Haj seasons, he said. The main goal of the cameras is to keep a close eye on the movement of the crowds in the holy sites and inside and outside the Grand Mosque. The cameras will be equipped to count and register the number of vehicles and people passing by in the streets. Data, which can be saved for 10 years, can be accessed by researchers. He said the cameras provide incredibly smooth transition from light to dark colors. They are able to grab odd angles and magnify 400 times. The cameras will be linked to 12 operations rooms. This is meant to enable the camera operators in the operations rooms to inform field inspectors of any problems. He said the contractor responsible for these cameras has the privilege of selling the information gathered by the system to research institutions. __
