August 17, 2011
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are now operating in Traralgon to improve community safety and make people feel safer in the CBD.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said cameras installed in Seymour Street and Franklin Streets have become operational this week in a bid to deter anti-social behaviour in Traralgon streets, particularly late at night and on weekends.
Mr Chester commended the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee, State MP Russell Northe and Latrobe City Council, which worked through various levels of government to secure funding from the Taxi Rank Safety Program (TRSP).
“The cameras will be operational 24 hours a day and provide ongoing surveillance of the taxi ranks in Seymour and Franklin streets as well as other sections of the CBD,” Mr Chester said.
“The cameras will further support other initiatives to make people feel safer in the town, particularly late at night on weekends.”
Mr Chester said the Nightrider Bus Service was another initiative of the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee, which reduced the number of people loitering in the streets at night waiting for a ride a home.
Mr Chester commended local business owners who had worked to see the CCTV cameras connected.
He called on the State and Federal governments to provide more funding for local community groups like the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“It has taken a lot of hard work by council and the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee to access the funds to obtain the cameras and install them,” he said.
“Safety within our communities is everybody’s problem and I believe it’s time for a national strategy with more resources to combat the problem at a local level.
“The Federal Government needs to recognise the growing issue of community safety in regional communities and provide a greater level of funding to support local initiatives which would combat increased levels of violence and anti-social behaviour.”