The Liberal Party has promised $120,000 to install CCTV cameras in public parts of of Raymond Terrace and Port Stephens if elected.
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In a future round of funding for CCTV, of course they [Maitland City Council] would have my full support.
- Karen Howard, Liberal candidate for Paterson
And although Maitland has not applied for money for the equipment in the latest round of the Safer Communities Fund, Liberal candidate for Paterson Karen Howard said she would fully support an application for the city.
Ms Howard, who announced the election promise late last week, said she had discussed the possible need for CCTV cameras with Maitland City Council.
But she said she was advised that council was conducting a review into whether CCTV technology was the most effective crime prevention measure for Maitland’s business, shopping and lifestyle hubs.
“In a future round of funding for CCTV, of course they would have my full support,” Ms Howard said.
The has been ongoing debate about whether CCTV cameras could help prevent crime in places like the Levee and the Rutherford shopping precinct.
Debate ramped up last year after a spate of break and enters at several Central Maitland businesses, as well as anti-social behaviour at Rutherford.
Maitland council voted against applying for funding for CCTV cameras earlier this year after a five-year downward trend in crime raised questions about the need for such equipment.
Councillors instead voted to spend $25,000 to have a special crime prevention report prepared for the city.
CCTV cameras have already been rolled-out in parts of Raymond Terrace, with positive results.
“Both Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay are tourism destinations,” Ms Howard said.
“For residents, businesses and visitors this new equipment will make our streets safer and be a strong deterrent to anti-social behaviour.”
There is more than $40 million available as part of the Safer Communities Fund.