Friday 23 September 2011

Council denies Port CCTV

: Grant Street may be one area in the CBD which could benefit from the installation of security cameras.

Cairns Regional Council CEO, Lyn Russell, has denied a request from Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce to install CCTV cameras in town.

The Chamber believes CCTV cameras will help prevent incidents such as vandalism and violence, and assist police in prosecuting offenders. However, in a letter to Chamber, Ms Russell said the Council's Community Safety Committee deemed the project too costly.

"There are currently some physical and logistical barriers, which prevent the successful expansion of the cameras into Port Douglas," the letter read.

"At the moment we do not have coaxial or fibre optic links into the district and the use of IP addressable cameras is currently cost prohibitive."

The committe did, however, recognise the benefit of the security system.

"(The committee) acknowledge the benefits and influence cameras can have on the perceptions of safety in the area they operate."

Chamber board member, Doug Calvert, said he was unhappy with the decision and would discuss it further at the next Chamber meeting.

"It's just part of town security, it's just really disappointing.

"I'm just not confident on them (Council) giving us anything. It's a no money Council for us."

Port Douglas Police Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Damian Meadows was unavailable for comment, however it is believed that CCTV footage taken from a private camera last month has led to the arrest of two suspects who allegedly committed stealing offenses on Macrossan Street.

Ms Russell suggested other less expensive options may be available in the absence of CCTV cameras including fixed cameras and/or mobile cameras deployed to "problem areas," however these are not monitored constantly (CCTV cameras are) and are used only to review an incident.

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Stephen Warden, 28-09-11 13:33:

I have to agree with Trevor 27/9, that living on Macrossan St CCTV is needed and if funding can be sourced by other means then we should have it. It would save on our already over worked police having to be available 24hrs.

Trevor Hurst, 27-09-11 16:35:

Living on Macrossan street and having to deal with the aftermarth nightly after 2 or 4am closures of hosteleries on Macrossan Street we installed our own cameras. The damage, urinating, vomiting and deficating has very nearly ceased. What has gone on has been delivered to the Port Douglas police on DVD.With one recent event with a drunken backpacker causing damage in our carpark we were able to supply a 6 minute perfect video for police. The offender is currently being dealt with. CCTV cameras in Macrossan Street at the right locations would remedy almost all of the late night problems we face. Why cant we have pay per park parking in Macrossan Street to fund it ??

Richard , 23-09-11 13:48:

More police are required and more 'open for business' police time. How can Port Douglas with 6000 tourist beds + 3000(?) permanent residents have a part time police force? Police need to be seen and seen more often.

Using the logic of the CCTV argument, we could have just one police person who reviews all the tapes of the trouble from the previous night and then starts looking for culprits the following day.

Or, we could have visible police throughout the evening and actually prevent trouble.

So it all comes down to a simple question - do we try to prevent trouble or watch CCTV tapes the next day and hope the troublemakers are still in Port Douglas so they might be found?

Anthony Renwick , 23-09-11 11:25:

24 hour police presence rather than the part time one we have now would be of greater deterrence rather than letting it happen and deal with it later IF the offenders can even be found or better yet open a 5am premisses and let the people have something to do rather than dumping them on the street and a return to the party atmosphere may actually bring back people that will spend money out side of coles and accom