By CASEY NEILL
A COALITION government would deliver Dandenong a $400,000 live feed CCTV system.
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne, Victorian Senator Helen Kroger and the party’s Bruce candidate Emanuele Cicchiello announced the pledge in central Dandenong on Monday.
The trio said that if elected on 7 September the cash to combat crime and anti-social behaviour would be delivered through the Coalition’s Plan for Safer Streets.
Mr Cicchiello said residents and traders had consistently rated crime and anti-social behaviour among their biggest concerns, particularly in central Dandenong.
“When I am out talking to people about their priorities for the electorate, they invariably tell me that more needs to be done to make our community a safer place to live and work,” he said.
“This funding will enable CCTV cameras to be installed in four priority locations, including the Palm Plaza-Hub Arcade Precinct, Lonsdale/Foster/Clow Streets, New Civic Square and Dandenong Park.
“These additional resources will provide a boost to local police as they continue their outstanding efforts to protect our community.”
The Labor party’s Bruce candidate, incumbent Alan Griffin, said he would welcome any additional funding for community safety projects, but that it should be noted that the City of Greater Dandenong had already installed a CCTV system in the Foster Street/Dandenong Railway station precinct after securing $250,000 through the State Government’s Public Safety Infrastructure Fund.
“The Federal Government has already allocated $500,000 under the National Crime Prevention Fund for two projects which will benefit the City of Greater Dandenong,” he said.
“This includes $200,000 to install improved lighting and undertake a refurbishment of the Menzies Avenue Shopping and Recreation Precinct to aid in reducing the high crime rate.
“We asked local councils across Australia what they needed for crime prevention in their areas and the City of Dandenong nominated this project, which we are funding.”
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long said the council supported all efforts to promote enhanced public safety initiatives in Dandenong.
“The funding commitment is welcome and would provide benefits to residents, traders and visitors to central Dandenong,” she said.
“The camera locations outlined in the Liberal party announcement would complement the 13 existing camera locations around the railway station, taxi rank, Settlers Square and Halpin Way.”
Cr Long said CCTV had been shown to be effective when combined with a range of other community safety initiatives.
“And it supports the important work that the police and others carry out every day to promote enhanced perceptions of safety in the city centre,” she said.
