Key CitySafe camera at Caxton Street still to be hooked up

A SECURITY camera installed in Caxton St to be part of Brisbane City Council's CitySafe network three years ago has yet to be hooked up.

Caxton St Development Association president Sarosh Mehta said the camera, located outside the Caxton Hotel, should be linked to the council's city-wide surveillance network.

"They put the camera in but it's not connected - it's simply there," he said.

"So why aren't they using it for CitySafe?"

But council argues that traders must first contribute to the connection cost.

CitySafe comprises 56 cameras monitored by council staff, who then report incidents to the police.

Mr Mehta said he asked many times for Caxton St to be linked in, particularly after a man was killed at the unofficial Petrie Tce taxi rank back in 2005.

"That's what started the State Government's 17-point plan (aimed at addressing booze-fuelled violence)," he said.

"The last time it was discussed at any length it was said it was too costly to hook us up with CitySafe."

Valley and City businesses contribute to the CitySafe network, but Mr Mehta said the Caxton St entertainment precinct was much smaller.

"Unlike the City and Valley, we've only about half-a-dozen of us here," he said.

NightWatch Project senior chaplain Lance Mergard said Caxton St and Petrie Tce had fewer incidents than the Valley and City areas, but still needed to be monitored.

"You've got to have all of these resources working well to make everything function properly," he said.

"We've got the technology and there shouldn't be a price on public safety.

"They've gone to a lot of expense already, but for the last three years, it hasn't been functioning - go figure."

A spokesman for Family and Community Services chairwoman Geraldine Knapp said the camera did record footage, but it was not monitored as part of the CitySafe program for financial reasons.

He said: "The Caxton Hotel camera was not connected to the CitySafe system because there was no funding support from the local business community."

Central ward councillor David Hinchliffe said the area had become more popular since the opening of the popular cinema shopping complex the Petrie Tce Barracks last year.

He said it cost about $25,000 per CitySafe camera annually.

"It's time to consider Caxton St as the third entertainment precinct of Brisbane to be included in the CitySafe system," he said.

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Key CitySafe camera at Caxton Street still to be hooked up

Date: 15/1/09

Author: Alison Sandy

Source: Courier Mail

Call 1300 852 400 for Expert Advice, Tips and Suggestions

Security Camera Specialists for all your Home and Business Needs

Key CitySafe camera at Caxton Street still to be hooked up

Date: 15/1/09

Author: Alison Sandy

Source: Courier Mail

Security Camera
Specialists for all your
Home and Business Needs