13 August 2004

CCTV Cameras Beef Up Security At Otara Town Centre

Following consultation with Police and community stakeholders, Manukau City Council has recently established crime prevention cameras in the Otara Town Centre, with the final ones installed on 6 August.

Shoppers will notice the signage displaying 'Video Surveillance Cameras Operating Monitored By Swiftlink'. The purpose of the cameras is to deter, or to provide means of immediate detection of criminal offences, thereby improving safety and security in the Town Centre. This seems to be working. With round the clock monitoring, 3 offenders were apprehended at the end of July in the first week of operation.

Manukau Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis says, "Manukau City Council actively pursues policies to achieve the strategic vision of 'Tomorrow's Manukau', a crucial part of which is, making communities safer for residents. This initiative is one way to achieve this. However it couldn't be done in isolation. Council has developed an important partnership with service delivery groups which work at upholding security at the Town Centre.

"These include the well established Otara Town Centre Ambassadors, The Ethnic Wardens and Manukau City Council's newly appointed Walkwise Ambassadors. I have a great deal of respect for the work these two former groups have done over the years, often in very difficult circumstances. This new initiative will give an enormous boost to security and provide greater peace of mind for local people going about their business."

Otara Town Centre Manager Chris Espie is also very encouraged by the newly installed monitoring system. He says, "It is heartening to see the importance the Council places on security in the Town Centre - and already the initial results have been extremely good. Our security groups work together with Manukau City Council to maximise safety at the Centre. Recently the newly appointed Council Walkwise Ambassadors and the Otara Ambassadors have been liaising to improve coverage on the nightshift, when it is most needed.

"Only police personnel, designated Council staff and accredited camera operators will have access to the monitors or recordings that are made. Manukau City Council will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the camera system.

"We look forward to increased patronage of the Otara Town Centre day and night. With the upgraded security system, locals can rest assured we are working hard to make their shopping and entertainment experience in this part of the city, safer."

Looking to the future, currently consultation is being carried out by Manukau City Council at Mangere Town Centre in preparation for the installation of 6 CCTV cameras in September. Already there are cameras operating at Manurewa, Hunter's Corner and Papatoetoe.

Camera operation is being carried out in accordance with the Police policy of Crime Prevention Cameras in Public Places, which can be read at Otara Police Station or the police website www.police.govt.nz.

If you have any questions about the crime prevention cameras please contact Leeanne Di Bella, Manukau City Council, phone: 262 8900

ENDS

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