Seven new CCTV cameras for Waihī Beach, Katikati and Te Puke
Seven new CCTV cameras will be installed across the Western Bay of Plenty after local Community Boards invested $75,000 to expand coverage in Waihī Beach, Katikati and Te Puke.
The decision was made at yesterday's Western Bay of Plenty District Council meeting, following recommendations from the Katikati, Te Puke-Eastern and Waihī Beach Community Boards.
The cameras will be installed at:
- Main Road/Earl Drive, Katikati
- Kotahi Lane, Katikati
- Tetley Road/State Highway 2, Katikati
- Talisman Lane, Katikati
- Stock Road, Te Puke
- Wilson Road shopping precinct, Waihī Beach (between Dillon Street and Citrus Avenue)
- Emerton Road/Seaforth Road intersection, Waihī Beach
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer says the cameras are another tool to help keep communities safe.
“This investment has come from the communities themselves through their Community Boards, which shows how strongly people feel about creating safe, welcoming places for residents, visitors and local businesses,” says Mayor James.
"The cameras are another tool to help keep communities safe. While they don’t necessarily stop crime from happening, they can deter anti-social behaviour, help protect public assets and provide valuable evidence to support Police investigations.”
Council's public CCTV network is monitored by the Tauranga Transportation Operations Centre (TTOC) and forms part of a wider district surveillance system designed to monitor identified trouble spots, deter criminal activity and protect Council infrastructure.
TTOC and New Zealand Police were consulted on the proposed locations and supported expanding coverage in the identified areas.
Council's Operations Manager Kerrie Little says CCTV cameras help create more welcoming town centres and community spaces.
“We know feeling safe is important to people, whether they're shopping, meeting friends, visiting local businesses or simply passing through town. These cameras are another way we can help create safer public spaces and support Police when incidents do occur."
The cameras themselves are being supplied from Council's existing stock of refurbished CCTV units. Community Boards are funding the installation costs, while Council will absorb ongoing monitoring, maintenance and operational costs through its existing CCTV programme.
The Katikati Community Board has approved up to $45,000 towards four cameras, including $35,000 from its Reserves Account for cameras at Main Road/Earl Drive, Kotahi Lane and Tetley Road/State Highway 2, and up to $10,000 from its Roading Account for a camera at Talisman Lane.
The Te Puke-Eastern Community Board has approved up to $10,000 for a camera on Stock Road.
The Waihī Beach Community Board has approved up to $20,000 for two cameras in the Wilson Road shopping precinct and at the Emerton Road/Seaforth Road intersection.
Council currently operates CCTV cameras in public locations throughout the District. The system collects video footage, vehicle registration information through automated number plate readers, traffic statistics and other information in accordance with privacy and information management requirements.
