THERE could be more eyes on Tamworth crime than ever, as the local crime prevention working group signals furthering its commitment to bolstering CCTV infrastructure in the community.
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The crime prevention working group met for the first time since this year’s Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) election, and Russell Webb has outlined a few key issues the group hopes to tackle in 2017.
“We will move towards seeing a growth in the number of CCTV units in the region,” Cr Webb told The Leader.
“They have proved to be very beneficial, providing evidence to police from serious traffic offences to vandalism and graffiti.”
While Cr Webb said there was a cost associated with installing and maintaining CCTV units in the region, he emphasised how beneficial existing cameras had already been.
“We should make sure they are not the be and end all,” he said.
“We can’t forget how much these things cost.”
The working group will meet again in early 2017, once the community representatives have been appointed.
But the working group’s current members have already brought some exciting ideas to the table.
Cr Webb said the local liquor accord is hoping to establish a new program, aimed at children, about safe alcohol consumption.
“The liquor accord are looking at starting a program where they go out into schools and teach kids about the dangers of binge-drinking; as well as, safe and unsafe consumption of alcohol,” Cr Webb said.
“It’s something that’d just be here locally.
“I think that’d be fantastic.”
Cr Webb signalled the group would also look at addressing problems in the community around the drug ice, domestic violence and a potential connection with the youth council once its established.
Cr Webb chaired the first meeting of the group, but TRC will appoint a chair to the group and two other committees at their ordinary meeting on Tuesday night.