THE community cried out for help and the NSW Government listened, but will a funding boost for more CCTV cameras in parts of Tamworth really solve the problem?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was a welcome announcement at AgQuip this week when Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, flanked by Deputy Premier Troy Grant, announced a $250,000 investment to install CCTV cameras at Tamworth’s Bridge St and the Carter St sporting fields.
For too long, Tamworth Council, and we as ratepayers, had to cough up the cash to fix the damage done by notorious hoons who take advantage of wet weather and freshly mowed sporting fields and take joy in destroying one of our most used community assets, leaving our local teams and clubs without a place to play.
The anxiety for businesses will soon be eased by CCTV cameras monitoring what happens on Bridge St which is perhaps our most busiest stretch of road late at night, apart from weekends in the CBD.
In announcing the new funding, Mr Anderson said the new crime fighting tool would mean community members would no longer have to put up with smashed windows, graffitied walls and anti-social behavior.
The additional crime fighting tool is welcomed, and is certainly a handy piece of evidence for our police, who already do a great job in tracking down the offenders.
But while malicious damage is certainly a jailable offence with a sentence of up to two years – we have to ask the question, will this be the end of it?
Hoons will still be hoons and vandals will be vandals.
Will they move to another area of our city and target more unsuspecting business owners or community members?
Would that mean our government and council will have to fork more cash out to install cameras in other city suburbs who become the next targets because of the stupidity of others?
It appears while Bridge St and Carter St might now be safe, other areas might not be.
Until the people who commit these crimes learn to stop the rot, there is no foreseeable end to this wide reaching and frustrating problem. We urge you, if you witness any acts of vandalism and malicious damage in Tamworth, no matter how big or small, to contact Tamworth police. If CCTV cameras are no deterrent, then getting caught surely is.
