An upgrade of the community safety camera network, also known as CCTV, is charging ahead as local communities provide feedback on where cameras should be located.
Whakatāne District Council was successful in receiving $1 million from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Better Off Funding package to deliver and upgrade the existing network with modern cameras, add additional cameras to the network and improve system monitoring abilities. Council staff have started liaising with a range of community groups, including local Iwi, to ensure the upgrade meets the needs of those most affected by security issues.
Mayor Dr Victor Luca says that community wellbeing is a priority for Whakatāne District Council, which includes making decisions that impact future generations throughout the rohe, taking into account social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects.
“One part of the bigger community wellbeing picture is ensuring safety and security concerns for residents and businesses are acknowledged and mitigated,” he explains. “The community safety camera project is one tool in the toolbox to help deter crime in public places and facilities. We will also look into addressing root causes of crime in our district.”
Mayor Luca emphasises that the cameras will be upgraded and installed across the Whakatāne District, not just within the Whakatāne township.
“Our communities have significant insight into where the cameras should be situated, so we will gather feedback from Iwi, hapū and whānau, key organisations and individuals, and eventually the wider community,” he says. “The roll-out phase is planned for later this year, so hopefully we’ll soon be able to see tangible results from this initiative.”
Mayor Luca and Councillors will make the final decisions on where the cameras will be located, based on stakeholder feedback, expert advice and key safety data. Privacy concerns will be at the forefront of key decisions, and NZ Police will be involved throughout the project to ensure the system is as useful as possible.