Cameras will see you: police

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 18 Januari 2013 | 19.55

PETTY criminals, graffiti vandals and those responsible for anti-social behaviour have been warned: you will be caught.

Big brother is watching and his view has just improved dramatically with the roll-out of 20 hi-tech cameras in Glenorchy and five more in Sandy Bay. The new cameras mean Tasmania has reached a CCTV milestone with more than 500 tiny eyes now monitoring every move on the state's busiest streets.

Hobart's CBD and surrounds now boast more than 90 cameras. Launceston, Burnie and Devonport CBDs are equally wired up, and smaller municipalities in the South Kingborough and Clarence boast more than 20 cameras each.

For some, it is not enough.

"I'd have 190 if I could," Hobart Deputy Mayor and long-time CCTV camera proponent Ron Christie said.

"If it was up to me, they'd be monitored 24-7, especially on weekends."

Inspector Grant Twining, demonstrating the cameras' capabilities and crystal-clear pictures yesterday, said there was no doubt cameras constituted an excellent tool for police, both as a deterrent and an investigatory aid.

"It's right through from the serious crimes like armed robbery, to incidents such as a man drinking from a stubbie of beer in the bus mall yesterday at noon," he said.

"We see something happen on the screen and we can go straight out and deal with it.

"The message to those inclined to do the wrong thing is this we're watching."

Launceston City Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski is equally full of praise for the cameras.

"What we know from long experience is that if you have CCTV in an area where a crime occurs, the likelihood of that offender being caught is substantially increased," he said.

"CCTV is a part of life now, both in Tasmania and around the world. It adds a layer of reassurance to the community that their safety will be protected."

Ald Christie is among those who reject notions of gross privacy invasion, labelling the Australian Privacy Foundation's concerns as "total rubbish".

Foundation vice-chairman David Vaile said the concern was there was a lack of investigation into the true value of CCTV cameras compared with the public perception that they drastically increase safety.

"Vendors and proponents of CCTV cameras tend to sell them as a big emotional you'll-feel-better ploy but if people are still dying, you can't say they're this great safety saviour," he said.

Mr Vaile said the rape and murder of Melbourne woman Jill Meagher was a tragic example of the limitations of CCTV footage.

"Yes, the alleged killer was caught on CCTV footage," he said. "And that might help police, but did it help her? No."

Glenorchy Mayor Stuart Slade is a huge fan of the tiny cameras.

"It's been a 16-year labour of love, but we've done it. We've joined the ranks of other cities with CCTV," he said at the switch-on event yesterday.

"The concerns people had previously were how will we pay for it and who will monitor them.

"Both of those issues have now been solved we've used criminals' money via the Proceeds of Crime Fund, and Tasmania Police is watching."

Senator Carol Brown, who was instrumental in securing the $123,000-plus to pay for the high-definition tilt and zoom cameras at Glenorchy, said the roll-out was good news for Glenorchy residents.

The cameras would enhance public safety and facilities in the Glenorchy area," she said.

"And we are using money taken from criminals to clean up graffiti and stop it happening in the first place."

zara.dawtrey@news.com.au


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