CHARTERS Towers residents can feel safer with the roll out of stage two of the local CCTV network.
Residents may have noticed the new CCTV cameras appearing at a number of locations around the Charters Towers urban area.
Deputy Mayor Wally Brewer, whose portfolio responsibilities include technology issues, said the roll out of additional CCTV cameras was an important public safety initiative.
“Community safety remains a priority for Council and by strengthening the CCTV network in the central business district and other strategic locations, Council can increase public safety, deter graffiti and assist the Charters Towers Police with their investigations,” Cr Brewer said.
“I can assure residents these cameras work. When I was in the Queensland Police Service a number of offenses were resolved with recorded images from the CCTV network. These offences included traffic matters, unlawful use of motor vehicles, break and enter and assault,” he said.
“Local businesses will also benefit with cameras acting as a deterrent to potential offenders with improved shopfront surveillance and an improved ability to assist police with identification when offences occur.”
Cr Brewer said the strengthened CCTV camera network is an asset in the prevention and management of crime and keeping Charters Towers safer by deterring anti-social and violent behaviours thus allowing the community to grow to its full potential.
CCTV cameras have been in place for some time at the World Theatre (internal and external) and at Dalrymple Saleyards.
The next round of CCTV installations occurred at the Defiance Mill Skate Park, the Excelsior Library and Wherry House.
Recent camera installations have occurred in front of Council’s Administration Centre in Mosman Street, Wheeler House, the tennis courts on Boundary Street, Charters Towers Showgrounds and in front of the Tourist Information Centre which provides images of the corner of Gill and Mosman streets.
The roll out also includes proposed CCTV cameras at the Arthur Titley Centre and in front of the Police Station in Gill Street.
Cr Brewer said as a further improvement to public safety, Council will purchase a mobile CCTV camera unit.
“This will be purchased under the GraffitiSTOP Program which is funded by the Queensland Government.
“The unit will be deployed to crime and graffiti hot-spots identified by Council, Charters Towers Police and the Chamber of Commerce.”
Cr Brewer said Council is thankful to residents, the business community and the Charters Towers Police for their support of the CCTV project.
The Charters Towers CCTV Network - stage two is a joint initiative of the Charters Towers Regional Council and the Queensland Government.
