From guards to gadgets

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Capital Trustees Board yesterday moved a step closer to turning Bahrain’s parks into smart, digitally monitored spaces, approving a plan to gradually replace some security guards with electronic surveillance systems.

The proposal, put forward by board member Engineer Mohammed Tawfiq Al Abbas and reviewed by the Services and Public Facilities Committee, aims to boost security, enhance visitor experience, and align park management with smart city trends.

Al Abbas said the initiative seeks to shift from reliance on human guards to modern electronic systems, ensuring round-the-clock coverage across all park areas and improving operational efficiency.

Supporters of the plan said electronic monitoring could reduce human error, speed up responses to incidents, and cut guarding-related maintenance and operating costs by up to 60%. The savings could then be redirected towards park upkeep and upgrades. The proposed system includes high-definition cameras covering entrances and main routes, motion and alarm sensors at key points, and secure recording and data storage via a central or cloud-based platform. A dedicated monitoring room linked to the Capital Trustees Board’s operations centre and relevant authorities is also planned, along with visible signage informing visitors of 24-hour surveillance.

The recommendation envisions a phased rollout, starting with electronic systems complementing existing guards, with potential for full expansion after the pilot phase is evaluated.