The state government and the Dubbo Regional Council have committed $500,000 to install CCTV cameras in crime hotspots across Dubbo and Wellington.
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Dubbo and Wellington are plagued with higher crime rates than other areas in NSW with the LGA ranking in the top 10 for seven of the 17 major offences.
NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman and Nationals candidate for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the government would provide $250,000 towards improving CCTV coverage in our region.
Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields said the council would match the NSW government’s funding commitment and would be responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance costs once the CCTV installation is completed in 2019.
Mr Saunders said installing new cameras and upgrading existing CCTV technology would enable police to monitor locations in real-time from the Dubbo police station.
“This investment will significantly improve the way Dubbo and Wellington are monitored, making it easier for offenders to be identified and charged,” he said.
Mr Shields said increasing CCTV coverage in the region is vital to deterring crime.
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“This is good for Dubbo and Wellington, any new measures that can help with our law and order and social issues is welcome,” he said.
“These security cameras are not just about catching people in the act; they are a great deterrent because no-one wants to get up to bad behaviour if they know they have cameras on them.
“Our citizens do not have to worry about these cameras if they are doing the right thing. This will make Dubbo and Wellington safer.”
From the police perspective this is about community safety and fighting crime.
- Peter McKenna
Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander Superintendent Peter McKenna said he applauded the investment which will help police with their surveillance of known trouble areas.
“From the police perspective this is about community safety and fighting crime,” he said.
“This will also help to deter crime and drive down crime in the region.”
Mr Speakman said CCTV is valuable because it improves prosecutions in court.
“We are seeing more and more CCTV footage being played in court to secure successful prosecutions, sending a clear message to offenders that they will pay the price if they are caught on camera,” he said.
“This will increase the number of cameras in Dubbo and Wellington to 93, with 11 new cameras in Dubbo and seven in Wellington.”
Some of the locations for the new CCTV cameras in Wellington include:
Wellington High School
Wellington Public School
Wellington Civic Centre
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
