Police officers will help monitor live vision from Council’s camera network as part of a trial to enhance city safety.
Council’s CCTV network currently includes nearly 600 cameras across Cairns, over half of which are located in public spaces like streets, parks and community spaces, which are monitored 24 hours.
The trial will involve a police officer working side-by-side with Council staff in the City Safe Camera Facility during periods when high anti-social behaviour often occurs, such as late on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mayor Amy Eden said the trial was another proactive measure by council in tackling crime, on top of the more than $5 million worth of measures it already undertakes in community safety despite it not being a primary responsibility of local government.
“Council’s City Safe camera network is an important tool in the collective mission to keep the Cairns CBD safe,” Cr Eden said.
“With police officers in the control room, we can respond quickly and effectively to incidents and ensure that our community feels secure.
“It’s all about our efforts to create a safer environment for locals, tourists and business owners and staff.
“I am confident that this trial will prove valuable for all involved. We will be closely monitoring the feedback from officers and council staff and the results to make any necessary adjustments.”
“I thank Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon and Queensland Police for embarking on this trial with council at our City Safe Camera Facility, delivering another step forward in our already strong partnership.”
District Officer Chief Superintendent Kevin Fitzgibbon said he’s confident this trial will further strengthen the working relationship between police and the City Safe camera system.
“The City Safe camera network is an incredibly important and valuable tool police use to keep the Cairns CBD safe,” Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon said.
“Having police in the control room assisting council staff will provide an additional capacity allowing us to direct patrols to hotspot areas and respond to active incidents in the CBD.”
“Our City Beat and Cairns Station police continue to patrol the CBD, to ensure the community not only is safe, but feels safe.”
