CCTV upgrades make for a safer community

CCTV upgrades make for a safer community

Collie residents can soon feel much safer, following the completion of the first stage of a major upgrade of the Shire of Collie’s CCTV network, with more work planned over the next two financial years.

Stage one was funded by the State CCTV Strategy and provided improved communications and video management systems.

New fixed cameras were installed in Throssell Street giving the Collie Police the capability of reading the number plates of vehicles passing through the town.

Additionally, a solar powered mobile unit was delivered to the Collie Police Station for deployment to identified locations with CCTV vision sent directly to police mobile phones.

Following a successful application to the Federal Safer Communities a comprehensive upgrade of all CCTV infrastructure in the Collie CBD will be implemented over the next eighteen months.

This funding will allow for nearly 40 additional cameras to be installed in the town centre giving coverage for the area bounded Medic and Throssell Streets, and Prinsep and Lefroy Streets.

“We know residents are concerned about their safety,” Shire President Sarah Stanley said. “This project will go a long way to helping police combat crime, sending a strong message that our community will not tolerate illegal activity.”

“We welcome the support of the state and federal government in funding this much-needed infrastructure for our community,” Cr Stanley said.

“The new cameras are a significant asset for the community in the fight against crime”, CEO David Blurton said. “The vision quality of the cameras is excellent and this should allow police to investigate incidents and identify suspects with greater certainty,” he added.

While the planning undertaken by the Shire in 2019 in consultation with the Police and CCTV consultants included the approach roads to Collie and public facilities outside the CBD, this work has not yet been funded.

Shire staff will continue to seek funding and work towards CCTV projects that deliver a safer community for the residents of Collie.

Photo: Collie Police accept delivery of the mobile CCTV unit.