Eye on crime

By Tania Martin
EMERALD Traders are calling for an eye on crime following concerns over increasing break-ins.
They believe installing a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system would deter would-be thieves.
This follows a spate of late-night raids on businesses and homes over the past two months.
Emerald Police Sergeant Fiona Tolmie met with the traders last month to discuss rising concerns over crime in the town’s CBD.
This followed traders’ calls for a bigger police presence in the town.
The Mail reported in a front page story, Traders fed up, on 9 February, that traders believe local youths were flouting the law because they knew they could get away with it.
Emerald Pharmacy’s Louise Lammers said police had suggested CCTV surveillance as a way to curb the increasing crime.
“They said it would not only aid in reducing criminal activity, but also in assisting in the apprehension of offenders,” she said.
Ms Lammers said the group hoped to install between 12-15 cameras around the town at a cost of more than $50,000.
Emerald Community House’s Mary Farrow said the group was looking for funding to install the cameras.
“If we haven’t got the extra police, at least we will have some cameras,” she said.
Resident Janet Copey was one of the latest victims after her house was broken into and several laptops stolen.
She said the thief broke into her Mimosa Avenue home sometime between 8.30am and 4pm on Tuesday 16 February.
Ms Copey said initially the family had no idea it had been robbed, as nothing was out of place.
“We had no idea anything was amiss until my son went to do his homework and couldn’t find his laptop…then we found out two others (laptops) had been stolen,” she said.
“Nothing was out of place. We don’t even know how they got in.”
Ms Copey fears it could happen again.
She believes CCTV cameras would go a long way towards fixing the problem.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said police considered CCTV cameras to be the most effective tool for combating any anti-social behaviour as they enable culprits to be accurately indentified.
She said in conjunction with regular police patrols and undercover operations already in place, cameras would help lead to the apprehension of offenders.
“I will be raising this need again with the Shire of Cardinia and urge that it considers installing additional cameras,” Ms Lobato said.
The Mail contacted the council but was unable to get a response before going to print.