Belize Police to Deploy 1,000 AI-Powered Surveillance Cameras Nationwide

The Belize Police Department has announced plans to install 1,000 surveillance cameras across the country as part of a comprehensive strategy to address crime proactively. The initiative represents a significant expansion of Belize’s digital security infrastructure, following the department’s previous challenges with facial recognition technology vendors. The cameras, scheduled for installation beginning in March, will be equipped with facial recognition technology, license plate reading capabilities, and advanced motion detection systems.

Speaking to a domestic news outlet, Police Commissioner Chester Williams detailed the surveillance system’s capabilities, explaining that the motion detection feature can identify unusual movements within groups and automatically zoom in on areas of potential concern. “When there is some unusual movement in that group, the camera sends an alarm… and zooms in on the area where the problem is detected,” he said.

The initiative also includes the installation of panic buttons at strategic locations throughout the city. These devices will trigger immediate alerts to law enforcement when activated, while simultaneously directing nearby cameras to focus on the area. The system will track individuals fleeing the scene until police arrive, leveraging AI-powered tracking algorithms similar to those deployed in other major urban surveillance networks.

As part of the enhanced security measures, police commanders have been directed to conduct intensive operations at least twice weekly. These operations will encompass home and base searches, with particular attention given to motorcycle surveillance. This comprehensive approach comes as Belize works to modernize its national security infrastructure, which includes the ongoing development of a biometric national ID program.

Sources: Channel 5 Belize

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January 28, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team