Big brother will be watching with $350,000 for CCTV cameras in Mandurah

BIG brother will be watching City of Mandurah residents through new CCTV cameras in crime hotspots.

Next year, CCTV cameras will be installed at Keith Holmes Reserve, Mandurah Terrace, Pinjarra Road, Sholl Street, part of the Eastern Foreshore, Barracks Lane and Smart Street Mall.

Mandurah MLA David Templeman delivered the $350,000 election commitment to the City, which will be used to install CCTV cameras, upgrade existing cameras, the fibre optic network and carry out a business engagement project.

Mayor Rhys Williams said the Community Safety Mandurah project will make the City’s system more reliable and provide better coverage of entertainment and tourist areas.

“Community safety and crime reduction is a big priority for the City, so the roll out of extra and improved CCTV capabilities is a big step forward in making Mandurah a safer place,” he said.

“It’s so important that people feel safe while enjoying our city centre and entertainment areas, and the City’s investment in CCTV over the past six years is just part of the solution in reducing violence and crime in the city.”

Mr Templeman said he was pleased to see the project up and running, and believes it is a vital project for improving safety in Mandurah.

“Everyone in Mandurah wants to be reassured that this area is under surveillance and that these cameras will be a deterrent to unacceptable behaviour into the future,” he said.

“The many families who use the foreshore area deserve to feel safe.”

With the City working in partnership with WA Police, the project rollout is underway and expected to be completed in August 2018.

So far, new CCTV cameras have been installed and existing Smart Street Mall cameras have been upgraded.

The new cameras will capture blind spots at this location as recognised by police.

Mandurah officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Steve Thompson said police were particularly focused on policing Mandurah’s city centre and foreshore areas.

Police have worked hard with the City to seek the right CCTV equipment for the right places.

“CCTV is a crucial tool in the deterrent and investigation of crime and anti-social behaviour, and importantly in securing convictions in the courts,” Senior Sergeant Thompson said.

“Mandurah Police look forward to the increased capabilities this new project offers.”

The footage will be able to be viewed by the City, and will be linked to the Mandurah Police Station through the City’s CCTV system, helping with investigations.

The McGowan Labor Government provided funding through the State CCTV Strategy Infrastructure Fund.