City security cameras are doing their job

Date: 10/5/2006
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Inner-city security cameras are keeping a close eye on things and making a positive dent on crime in the CBD, police say.

Funded by a substantial Eastland Community Trust grant and operational since December, the cameras are making the city streets safer.

Community relations co-ordinator Sergeant Chris Bunyan said although it was difficult to comment on the CCTV system’s performance without statistical information, the cameras were proving effective.

"What has been shown with the introduction of CCTV is that generally throughout the city centre they have had an effect on crime and have been beneficial in reducing crime without displacing it."

Sgt Bunyan said the CCTV system used in conjunction with the city liquor ban and the team policing group — which sees an increased police presence in the city’s bars and nightclubs — were producing positive results in combating inner-city crime.

"Three or four years ago there were stabbings and street robberies and we had drunk people walking home and getting beaten up. There were a lot of fights, broken glass and windows, rubbish bins being set on fire — all those types of things were occurring."

"We want people who use this town’s services to feel safe doing so and these are obviously things that concern the business sector and tourism."

Staff who monitored the cameras were able to read situations and body language and could redirect police where necessary.

"Police are often seeing the events on camera and are able to respond or we can see the build-up of activity and are able to intervene early.

"Previously there may have been reports of fighting and it could be difficult to identify those involved."

"This is all about how we can affect the situational crime It also helps to keep people mindful that anytime and anywhere we will be watching what they do."

Sgt Bunyan said although the majority of the offences the CCTV caught were assaults and breaches of the liquor ban, the system had also helped to nab drunk drivers. Since the cameras’ introduction there had also been a decrease in reported incidents of vandalism, he said

"We saw a guy stumbling all over the show to his car and managed to apprehend him before he caused any real harm on the road."

Gisborne was taking a similar approach to many other cities which were experiencing crime in the central areas, and people should not be alarmed by the surveillance. The types of incident occurring here were synonymous with any other city or town where there were bars.

"It’s not as if Gisborne is that bad. Gisborne is actually quite a well-behaved city in comparison to some others."

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