(27/9/2018) Freo keeps an eye on community safety

Fremantle’s network of security cameras is set to be expanded following the adoption of a new CCTV strategy by Fremantle Council.

The City of Fremantle CCTV Strategy 2019-2023 was prepared in consultation with WA Police and provides for the installation of an additional 25 fixed CCTV cameras throughout the city centre.

Acting Mayor Ingrid Waltham said expanding the CCTV network was all part of the City’s ongoing commitment to keeping Fremantle safe.

“Fremantle is a great place for the whole family to come and enjoy, but our community survey last year showed community safety was an area our residents wanted us to continue to focus on,” Acting Mayor Waltham said.

“We are one of three local governments in WA to actively monitor CCTV vision and report incidents to the police or our Community Safety Team.

“The additional coverage provided by these new cameras will help to improve the response in times of emergency, while recorded footage will also help police with their enquiries and can be used as evidence in court.

“We want people to come to Fremantle to enjoy all of the wonderful things we have to offer, so this is one way we can help people feel safe while they’re here.”

The City of Fremantle introduced CCTV in 2008 and currently has a network of 36 cameras covering key locations in the city centre.

The locations of the additional 25 cameras were chosen in consultation with local police, with priority given to crime hot spots, critical infrastructure and crowded places.

The new cameras will be funded through a $928,000 federal government Safer Communities grant.

At the request of local police, the CCTV strategy also includes the installation of five fixed Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras on the main roads into Fremantle.

The cameras work by scanning the number plates of all vehicles that pass by. A record including the time, date, location and an image is then sent via SMS to police to cross-check against a Vehicle of Interest register.

The records will be stored for 30 days then deleted, and only WA police will have access to the data.

Acting Mayor Waltham said privacy was a key consideration for the council when adopting the CCTV strategy.

“The use of CCTV in Fremantle is guided by the WA government’s State CCTV Strategy, and all of our operations are conducted in accordance with leading state, national and international practice,” Acting Mayor Waltham said.

The CCTV network is one of many community safety initiatives by the City of Fremantle.

The City’s Community Safety Team works closely with local police to respond to low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.

Last year the City expanded the Community Safety Team’s operating hours and also introduced bike patrols to allow the team to cover a greater area and improve response times.

For more information visit the Community Safety page on the City of Fremantle website.