Eye on crime costs traders $50,000

By Tania Martin
EMERALD traders could face a hefty $50,000 bill to keep an eye on crime.
This follows calls for Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to be installed to combat rising crime in the town.
Traders and residents told the Mail earlier this month they were fed up with the continual barrage of crime and vandalism.
In its story, Cameras on crime, the Mail reported how traders had met with Emerald’s Sergeant Fiona Tolmie and CCTV cameras were recommended.
This also followed calls for a bigger police presence in the town.
Emerald Pharmacy’s Louise Lammers told the Mail earlier this month the traders were hoping to get funding to install 12-15 cameras.
She said this would cost more than $50,000.
They have been discussing their concerns with Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato and local police.
Ms Lobato said she would be talking to the Cardinia Shire Council about the need for cameras, urging it to reassess the situation.
But shire spokesman Paul Dunlop said the council maintained that business security was the responsibility of individual traders.
He said CCTV surveillance was one of the many measures that could help reduce anti-social behaviour.
This could leave traders footing the bill, to the tune of $50,000.
The Emerald Greenroom’s Jacqui Walker, one of the victims of recent criminal damage, said it was a ‘shame’ the council was not willing to help fund the cameras.
She said the Greenroom was trying to create a positive environment for Emerald residents to enjoy themselves and attract tourism to the region.
“As a small business we don’t have a high turnover and we simply can’t afford to be footing the bill,” Ms Walker said.
However, Mr Dunlop said the council was committed to maintaining a safe, clean and attractive shire, limiting the negative effects of graffiti and criminal damage.
He said the shire’s community safety officer was working in partnership with police and local community leaders on numerous programs, increasing perceptions of safety and addressing issues such as criminal damage.