In the frame for crime camera cash

GREATER Dandenong is keen to snap up any CCTV funding that other councils turn down.
Mayor Angela Long has written to the State Government urging it to send any unclaimed funds for the cameras to Dandenong.
“CCTV is an incredibly important part of improving perceptions of safety in Greater Dandenong,” she said.
“We’ve got CCTV working hard for our community and would happily accept funds for further cameras.
The push followed word last week that other municipalities were reluctant to accept the State Government cash, which was allocated following Jill Meagher’s death last September but did not include funding for maintaining the cameras.
“Community safety is the single most important issue in Greater Dandenong,” Cr Long said.
“It’s highlighted as an issue by residents across all ages.
“The council would say yes to any CCTV funds going begging.
“Council already has sustainable infrastructure in place for CCTVs and we’ve worked hard with Victoria Police to meet their needs.
“We know that CCTV cameras alone don’t make our suburbs safer, but we can easily find great homes for more cameras that will work in well with other initiatives.”
City of Greater Dandenong considers various factors when assessing locations for fixed cameras, including advice from Victoria Police on the levels and types of crime in the area and the system’s likely effectiveness.
In central Dandenong, CCTV is part of an overall approach to addressing community safety and anti-social behaviour.
“In Dandenong there is a whole range of initiatives that assist in improving levels of safety – Victoria Police’s Operation Safe Suburbs, the introduction of PSOs at train stations, the No Drinking in Public campaign promoting that drinking alcohol in public places is not permitted, and improvements in the overall environment through the Revitalising Central Dandenong project.