Before the council election, I wrote inviting candidates to discuss law and order issues.

Some responded that law and order was a state issue. While the police are funded by the state government, I believe that law and order is an issue for all of us, including local government.

I would like to see the Sunshine Coast Regional Council take more responsibility for law and order than any previous local council has done.

The first measure should be a widening of the use of CCTV. Perhaps we need a co-ordinated effort from residents, businesses and government on this issue.

A major study into CCTV undertaken by Bond University of the Gold Coast concluded that the effectiveness of CCTV as a crime prevention tool was questionable, but research showed that it was effective at detecting violent crime and may result in increased reporting of crime.

I believe that CCTV would make the job of investigating and prosecuting crime much easier.

I am involved in a case at the moment that has highlighted the benefit of CCTV in the detection and prosecution of crime.

While the evidence in this particular case is not strictly CCTV, because no cameras were erected in the area, the evidence included photos that were being taken from cameras.

There were approximately three seconds between photos on each of the cameras.

That is the other benefit of CCTV.

CCTV is used in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, and we should at least have it in the hot spots of Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Noosa.

Maybe it could also be used in any area where there is a licensed pub or club.

It may persuade those who might otherwise offend not to, and also assist the police in the detection, investigation and prosecution of crime.