MEDIA RELEASE

21 October 2009

Taupo a safer place with CCTV camera network installed

Taupo’s central business district is now a safer place, due to an additional fifteen CCTV cameras now operational.

The CCTV (or closed circuit television) project has been led by the Taupo Safer Community Trust, with funding provided from Taupo District Council.

Trust spokeperson, Ted Swanney, said that the CCTV installation one was of the first projects tackled by the Trust.

“Our Trust was formed just over a year ago, and we’ve been working on a variety of projects to help improve the personal safety of residents and visitors”, said Mr Swanney.  “The CCTV project was one of the first things we looked at, and it’s great that the cameras are now up and running.”

“The camera network now covers all of the main retail areas of the town centre, and stretches from the Tile Warehouse on Spa Road, down to Wairakei Polytechnic on Heu Heu Street, and along the lakefront to the Taupo Mini Putt,” said Mr Swanney.  “The high foot traffic retail areas, and the entertainment area along Tuwharetoa Street are well covered too.”

All the camera footage is fed directly into the Watch House at the Taupo Police Station, and is monitored by Police Officers and a team of trained volunteers.

“As well as our volunteers in the Watch House viewing the incoming video footage, we also record all the footage for a period of four weeks,” explained Mr Swanney.  “This means that if an offence occurs, the Police have ample time to go back and review the footage around the incident.”

Taupo Police have already used the camera footage to aid in prosecuting persons committing crimes in the Taupo central business area.

“The enhanced CCTV has already proven its worth,” said Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen.  “I am aware of two serious crimes of violence that have been resolved because of it in the past month.  There are also many other examples where the CCTV network has assisted Police, such as apprehending drunk drivers, people breaching the liquor ban, acting disorderly and committing theft.”

“The new CCTV network is far wider than the just the Taupo CBD, and is a valuable tool in our tool box,” says Mr Jeurissen.  “I am sure that over time it will be used to assist police and volunteers to make Taupo a safer place for everyone."       

Towncentre Taupo Co-ordinator, Kylie Hawker, shares Mr Jeurissen’s sentiments.

“We’re very pleased that the CCTV network has been expanded throughout the whole of the town centre,” said Ms Hawker.  “A major aspect of welcoming visitors and locals into our CBD is by ensuring their personal safety, and with the camera network up-and-running, I feel we are one step closer to achieving that goal.”

“We’d like to thank all the business owners and landlords who generously allowed us to install a camera on their property.  All of these businesses are also paying the electricity expenses to run the cameras, so we are most appreciative of their support of the project,” said Mr Swanney.

The businesses who have assisted by allowing a camera to be installed on their property are; The Tile Warehouse, Pak n Save, Noel Leeming, Harvey’s Real Estate, Caltex, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Taupo Mini Putt, and Farmers.  A number of cameras have also been installed on Taupo District Council owned buildings around the central business district.

Ends

© Scoop Media