New eyes on safety

 Twelve new CCTV cameras are keeping an eye on Hemmings Street in Dandenong.

Greater Dandenong Council installed the system in the shopping precinct between Jones Road and Purdy Avenue.

The cameras are part of the council’s Safe City CCTV program expansion.

Greater Dandenong Mayor Youhorn Chea said well-managed CCTV systems were proven to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve perceptions of community safety.

He said there were now more than 100 cameras operating across the city.

“These systems not only improve public perceptions of safety but they also assist enforcement agencies such as Victoria Police in the detection and prosecution of offenders,” he said.

Cr Chea said the council saved money on installing the cameras through a partnership with United Energy.

“By installing the cameras on light poles instead of installing solar we were able to cut the project costs in half,” he said.

The Safe City CCTV program has been operating since 2011.