Community safety in Narromine will receive a significant boost following co-contributed support from the NSW government and council to install CCTV cameras in crime hot spots throughout the town.
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Police Minister and Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant was in Narromine today to present a cheque of over $178,000 to council, which will contribute to the installation of six CCTV cameras throughout town to deter incidents of crime.
“The government took the decision a couple of years ago to establish a community safety fund, which was giving access to communities to invest to in infrastructure and invest in programs, that were going to alleviate and overcome the fear of crime and the reality of crime in their communities, heavily weighted towards regional communities,” Mr Grant said.
“Narromine Shire council I’m proud to say has been successful with a NSW government grant of over $178000 dollars.”
“This is a co-contribution to what Narromine shire council will be contributing to establish CCTV footage and capability in the main street and the CBD,” he said.
Narromine Shire mayor Craig Davies said this security boost has been a long time coming and is a great “step forward” for the town.
“This has been some time coming. To have a grant for nearly $180,000 come in from the State government is a very welcome opportunity for us to co-fund the introduction of CCTVs into our shire. It's a really good step forward.”
Cr Davies said the installation of CCTVs is a “double edged sword ensuring that social issues that develop within the CBD are nipped in the butt as quickly as possible.”
“I believe it will [make community feel safer], I know the community have been very keen to see this sort of technology introduced.
“It's another instrument in our fight against social issues within town. We add that to what the police have been doing, and we now have a rounded and complete set of instruments to deal with social issues in the CBD.”
Mr Grant said the funding will not only help provide security, curbing incidents of property damage, vandalism and break and enters to CBD businesses, but also help with intelligence gathering.
“The cameras have two purposes; the first one is the most important one and that is to act as a deterrence.”
“So we want everyone in Narromine, or anyone who comes here to know if you’re going to commit crimes in the main street or the vicinity you will be captured and held to account.”
“The second thing is to make sure that when you do something, that's an easier process through the court path to hold you to account.
“The judges and magistrates in the area are experienced in receiving CCTV footage, police are used to using it as a part of their brief, and it's a real shot in the arm in relation for community safety in Narromine,” he said.
Over the years Mr Grant said that the business community of Narromine have been advocating to Council to improve surveillance to the main street.
“Over the years when I was the candidate, and talking to businesses and as I've done through the last seven years is the shopkeepers and local communities want to feel as safe as possible in their own community.”
“When you have vandalism, anti-social behaviour occurring in public spaces, that can be demoralising to a communities confidence.
“The perception of crime can be far greater than the reality of crime and Narromine is one of the best country communities we have in our area, and it doesn't have high levels of crime, but what it does have is a low tolerance for crime where the local community here will take every step to stamp out any sort of crimes so they feel safe,” Mr Grant said.
CCTV footage will be contained in a number of cameras which will be located strategically throughout the CBD of Narromine, and will be moved about.
Cr Davies hopes the installation will take place within the next couple of months.
“I think all the businesses within the CBD will be thankful for this, and I think the businesses in town will also gain a confidence.
Cr Davies thanked Mr Grant for his effort and commitment to ensuring there that there is facilities available in Narromine.
“It goes back sometime, and Troy has been able to get this money, which is a fantastic step forward for us.”
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
