By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
DANDENONG – the home of the destructive Apex gang – will receive a large proportion of closed-circuit television cameras being rolled out across Melbourne in a crackdown on the current crime wave.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan is set to announce $1.3 million towards cameras which will be installed around Melbourne, with a heavy presence in the outer south-east suburbs.
Reports detail Hampton Park, Dandenong and Frankston are likely to receive more than half of 70 new surveillance cameras.
A thrilled City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz said the web of CCTV for the south-east will serve two important purposes.
“They will be a deterrence to these criminal thugs, knowing that there are cameras filming them and it will help our police when they prosecute as it’s another avenue of gathering evidence,” Cr Aziz said.
The security measures come after more than nine months of violent home invasions, car thefts, car fires and serious assaults in Casey and more recently car-jackings which have leapt into Melbourne’s inner city suburbs.
Cr Aziz said he is appalled that Casey homeowners can no longer enjoy themselves inside their own homes without fear of an invasion.
“Casey residents can’t leave their car in their driveway without fear of it being stolen,” he said.
It has been reported that the Proceeds of Crime Account – money that is taken from criminals to be invested in preventing crime – is funding the security upgrades.
