By CASEY NEILL
SPRINGVALE will receive a $500,000 criminal-funded CCTV boost.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan visited the suburb with Liberal Hotham candidate George Hau on Thursday 19 May to announce Greater Dandenong Council had been successful in its Safer Streets Programme grant application.
The $496,345 in funding will install 29 CCTV cameras in the Springvale shopping precinct.
Mr Keenan said the cash would come from the Proceeds of Crime Account – money taken from criminals and reinvested into preventing further crime.
“Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it from happening,” he said.
Greater Dandenong regulatory services manager Peter Shelton said the council would install the new cameras in car parks in Buckingham, Balmoral, Windsor and Warwick avenues and Springvale Road.
“This funding will further enhance the council’s commitment to improving community safety, in partnership with Victoria Police,” he said.