The railway station in Cham is under video surveillance

In order to increase the population's sense of security, three cameras have been installed at Cham railway station. But why is this necessary at all? Local councillor and security officer Drin Alaj provides the answers.

From mid-June onwards, the watchful eyes of three cameras have been surveying a large part of Cham railway station. According to a recent communication from the municipality of Cham, these cameras are intended to increase the population's sense of security. Because this was "not optimal". From an objective point of view, however, the railway station is not actually a problem location, as only a small number of incidents are registered there by the police.

The bus and train station is by no means a blank slate, however, as the minutes of the municipal meeting (Einwohnergemeindeversammlung) in December 2021 show. Three robberies, a brawl, several vehicle thefts and isolated minor offenses were recorded by the Zug police between 2018 and 2021, as traffic and security chief Drin Alaj reported at the municipal meeting.

The cameras became the topic due to a motion from the SVP Cham (Swiss People's Party). The party demanded that the municipal council, together with the police, should look into the option of video surveillance at Cham railway station and, if appropriate, implement it promptly.

The recordings are deleted after three days
That has now been done. With the three cameras installed, the stored video recordings that they make can be accessed if necessary. Traffic and safety chief Drin Alaj explains what this "necessity" could be. Either a complaint has been filed or there has been an official offence that needs to be prosecuted ex officio by the law enforcement authorities.

All platforms, the bus station and the main underpass are captured by the cameras.        Photo: Daniel Frischherz
Drin Alaj, traffic and safety director of the municipality of Cham                  Photo: PD

The recordings are saved for the next three days, and are then irrevocably deleted. The cameras are in continuous operation.

The lighting that was installed in the main underpass three years ago has already noticeably improved the sense of security, according to the communication. Drin Alaj adds: "This is particularly noticeable in the feedback from the population."

Complaints about a feeling of insecurity at Cham station have decreased significantly since then, and it was thereby planned to additionally support this change with video surveillance. "However, it was important to us that there are only as many cameras as necessary, and that as few as possible are installed."

Eastern bike stand is not completely visible
The 360° cameras cover all the platforms, the station square, the bus station and the main underpass. The larger of the two bike racks near the station shop is only partially visible, however:

"You can still see the gravel path, but not the rearmost compartments of the bike rack," say Din Alaj.

Movements are visible, but if a masked figure was tampering with the bicycles, it would be difficult to recognise him anyway. "Nevertheless, the recordings could be helpful in the sense of solving offences or as a preventive measure," says Alaj. He added that this will be monitored further.

The cameras are operated by the SBB, as they are located on their property, the statement continues. The municipality of Cham, SBB and the video department of the Zug Police discussed the locations together. A pictogram on the departure board indicates the surveillance. The installation costs amounted to around CHF 45,000.