RICHMOND Valley Council is putting criminals and would-be offenders on notice – you will soon have nowhere to hide in Casino’s CBD.
Council has accepted a tender from SAT Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based radio communications consultancy, to implement its $463,000 closed circuit television (CCTV) project that has been funded by the Federal Government.
Up to 52 hi-tech, infra-red CCTV cameras and four pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras will operate in prominent positions throughout the town under a Council plan to make our community safer.
A live feed from all the cameras will be sent to the Casino Police Station.
Richmond Valley Mayor Ernie Bennett commended Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan for honouring his election promise to fully fund the project.
Cr Bennett also acknowledged the Richmond LAC, in particular Casino Police officers, for their support and input.
He said reducing the opportunity to commit a crime was an important aspect of building safer communities.
He said evidenced showed surveillance was a useful crime prevention strategy.
“CCTV makes the town safer, it can save lives, and it most certainly will prevent crime – no doubt about any of that,” Cr Bennett said.
Mr Hogan acknowledged the support of Mayor Bennett and John Walker in turning this election promise into reality.
“I am proud to have delivered this important project for the people of Casino,” Mr Hogan said.
“This promise was central to my campaign because we should always be able to walk our streets in safety, particularly our older residents.”
Council’s General Manager John Walker said the entire CCTV network would be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mr Walker said Council was committed to taking immediate action wherever it could, and was hopeful the cameras would act as both a deterrent and a crime-solving tool.
He said the infra-red cameras could “recognise” a face from several hundred metres.
In addition, the PTZ cameras can make a 360-degree sweep of the environment, change angles to look at objects both above and below the camera, and zoom in to give objects greater detail.
“The cameras will be able to capture clean images during the day and night, which is exactly what you want,” Mr Walker said.
“Night-time security is vital to have because criminals will often choose to act under the cover of darkness.
“This is why infra-red CCTV is a great all-round surveillance choice – it gets good picture coverage no matter the time of day or night.”
CCTV cameras are destined for the intersections of Barker, Canterbury, Centre and Walker streets, and will cover all adjoining areas, including the Irving Bridge and McAuliffe Park.
The PTZ cameras will also be situated on Centre and Walker streets, Centre and Barker, and Barker and Walker, as well as near the Caltex Service Station.
Mr Walker said it would take about three months to have all cameras installed and in use.
