Where will the cameras be installed?
Police and the Shire have selected the most appropriate locations where there is a prevalence of anti-social behaviour within both Kununurra and Wyndham town centres along with frequented open public spaces, to provide a level of comfort to the community in knowing CCTV does assist in the downturn of poor behaviour in such areas.
As with all such infrastructure improvements, the CCTV will be phased in over a period of time resulting in an extendable network for more cameras as funds become available. The community will be advised where and when the CCTV is installed as it occurs.
What is a hotspot?
A crime hotspot is generally defined as an area perceived or recorded as containing dense clusters of criminal incidents or antisocial behaviour.
What is CPTED?
CPTED stands for Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).
CPTED is a crime prevention theory focusing on tactical, practical design and the effective use of the built environment, which when applied, reduces both crime and the fear of crime. A main objective of CPTED is to reduce/remove the opportunity for crime to occur in an environment, and promote positive interaction with the space by legitimate users. CPTED is a preventative, pro-active model.
What is CCTV?
CCTV (closed circuit television) is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes.
Why does Council use CCTV?
The primary security use of CCTV is to discourage and/or detect unlawful behaviour. CCTV can also help to improve perceptions of and confidence in safety within the community.
Council’s commonly use CCTV as an asset protection measure, with the presence of operative cameras helping to prevent damage to property and deter antisocial behavior and inappropriate activity in settings such as libraries and leisure centres.
Is CCTV effective?
Council recognises that CCTV is only one of a range of strategies that can be used to reduce crime. The preferred approach is to consider options such as creating clear site lines, minimising concealed areas, installing appropriate lighting, and enhancing natural surveillance, increasing access control and improving signage through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principals (CPTED).
CCTV can be effective in improving the communities perceptions of and confidence in public safety, protecting assets detecting criminal activity and assisting with prosecutions.
What does Shire hope to achieve by introducing CCTV?
The cameras are just one of several initiatives designed to assist in preventing crimes in Kununurra and Wyndham. The CCTV system will allow the Shire and the Police to work together to reduce crime levels by deterring potential offenders, minimise vandalism of Shire and business assets, aid crime detection and the apprehension of offenders. This will go a long way to help provide a safer environment.
Will Police monitor the CCTV footage 24/7?
Kununurra and Wyndham police will maintain their presence in the community, providing a proactive response to incidents as they occur and building bonds with community members. When Police staff are in the police station performing administration duties they will be able to keep an eye on the monitors but it will not be a practice where Police will constantly monitor.
Police will be able to back capture any vision of interest, so it is important all community members continue to ring in a call for assistance as they have always done so.
Are you going to advise the public that they are on camera?
There will be signs erected which is a legal requirement of installation of CCTV. The signs will be placed in a position where the public will be alerted that they may be recorded from the cameras.
Can anyone see the CCTV footage?
No. There are very strict rules, including legislation, to maintain the privacy of anyone who has been filmed by the CCTV system.
The Shire are the owners of the vision and it will only be released to:
• Police – for the purposes of investigation or prosecution.
• Lawyers / Solicitors – for the purpose of legal defence for their client.
• Members of the public – defending themselves in court.
• Other interested parties as determined by the CCTV security officer at the Shire - note any request for access will be subject to application and approval processes.