NEWS that retailers in the CBD had their properties vandalised over the weekend has again prompted calls for council-run CCTV in the CBD.
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In the early hours of Sunday morning, a number of businesses had “tag” lines written across their front windows, with the damage stretching from the new Ray White building down to businesses in lower William Street, near the highway.
Owner of Bathurst Real Estate, Stacey Whittaker, posted CCTV images on Facebook from the business which were taken in the early hours of Sunday morning, showing a man approach the business and vandalising it.
That same tag was then written on the facades of other shops in lower William Street.
Councillor Ian North, said on Monday, it was time council had CCTV installed in the CBD.
He said while council had provided dollar for dollar funding for business owners up to $500 for CCTV, he believed council should install and be responsible for permanent CCTV in the CBD.
“For the safety of the town, it’s something I want to see happen.
“Orange, Wellington, Dubbo and Lithgow have all got it.”
Cr North said monitors wouldn’t need to be manned 24/7, rather, just when there is an issue, police can have a quick look what’s going on and then act.
He said from recollection CCTV in other regional areas was relatively cheap to maintain.
“From memory, Orange is about $20,000 a year, and with technical advancements, it’s only getting better. Now it’s wireless, state of the art, hard to break and fits into the environment.
“It’s also an enormous help to police; when Cr Bourke and I were in Toowoomba, the senior police there were saying how helpful it was; freeing police up to do their jobs.
“With CCTV people were easily identifiable, and in court they were more likely to plead guilty, so it freed up the court system as well.”
“I Think it’s something Bathurst needs.”
