Vandal video

IT’S TIME to go, vandals.
Dandenong North could soon be home to big brother style surveillance to clamp down on criminal behaviour.
Greater Dandenong council this week agreed to investigate installing closed circuit television (CCTV) security cameras in the city with a pilot project to be placed in Menzies Avenue, Dandenong North.
Local police have praised the move and said it would help to catch and deter criminals.
Greater Dandenong’s community services director June Dugina said the council had a responsibility to promote community safety.
“CCTV systems can be beneficial in detecting anti-social or criminal behaviour, assisting in the deployment of police and security personnel and contributing to improved perceptions of public safety,” she said.
Ms Dugina said Menzies Avenue would host the pilot project if approved by council at a later date.
“The precinct’s compact size and varied uses makes it an ideal location to trial this type of technology,” she said.
“Council is keen to consult with local residents, business operators and other community stakeholders about this proposal.”
Police Region Five Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans praised the council’s initiative.
He said it would help police to track serial offenders while helping the community feel safer.
“With cameras we’ve got the physical evidence, but they’re also a deterrent,” Mr Evans said.
“It’s so cheap these days and the visual technology is just incredible, that these things should be explored by all loc government, particularly in areas with a high number of incidents and issues.”
Mr Evans said police were already using CCTV in the region’s far east.
“In East Gippsland police are trialing small cameras that are about as big as a cigarette pack, and have huge storage, and are putting them in areas where there is criminal damage,” Mr Evans said.
“We’ve already apprehended some people who have been causing damage.”