WAGGA City Council is more proactive than the community realises when it comes to ridding the city of crime and anti-social behaviour, according to the mayor.

Councillor Kerry Pascoe yesterday responded to criticism from Wagga business owner Kylie Toff, whose hair salon has been targeted twice in a fortnight by thieves.

The installation of CCTV would be helpful as a crime-prevention tool, Mrs Toff said.

However, Cr Pascoe said side-streets had never been under consideration for CCTV if council did decide to install the cameras.

“It is unfortunate that Mrs Toff’s hairdressing salon in Docker Street has been targeted by vandals on two occasions recently. However, council has never considered installing CCTV in side streets, only in Baylis Street and Fitzmaurice Street,” Cr Pascoe said.

“It’s also not my decision whether or not council goes down the path of installing CCTV. This is a decision for the whole council and the feasibility, options and costs of implementing and maintaining CCTV has been investigated over the past few months by council so it is on the agenda for discussion and consideration in the near future.”

Cr Pascoe said the next meeting of the Wagga Safe Taskforce was scheduled for December 17 and CCTV would be discussed, taking on board the information from the recent crime assessment carried out in Wagga.

“Council has been very proactive in trying to overcome anti-social behaviour and crime in the city.

“Just last month, council resolved to develop a Wagga Alcohol Management Strategy in partnership with the Australian Drug Foundation. We are the first council in NSW to do this,” he said.

Cr Pascoe said it was also up to business owners to be proactive in implementing security measures.

“Not all the responsibility can be pinned on Council. It is unfortunate that we do have crime in our community … I strongly encourage business owners to install their own CCTV and security systems to assist with identifying offenders and preventing crime at their businesses,” he said.

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