By JESSE GRAHAM
STATE-OF-THE-ART security cameras have been set up in Healesville’s main street two years after a pre-election announcement from Casey MP Tony Smith.
Nine high-resolution cameras were set up along the town’s main street over the last six weeks, before being officially launched by Mr Smith on Friday 27 November.
Healesville police Sergeant Stewart Thomson joined members of the Healesville Chamber of Commerce and Eclipse Security, which was contracted to install the cameras.
Sgt Thomson said the cameras were “state-of-the-art”, and would assist police with high definition video streamed to a split-screen at Healesville police station and recorded to a hard-drive.
“We’ve got eyes everywhere, basically – we’ve got all the hot-spots in town covered,”
“Not only is it state-of-the-art security for Healesville, it’s a state-of-the-art investigative tool for us.
“Overall, it gives us a whole new dimension, locally, in terms of law enforcement.”
Though some businesses, such as Fluid Lounge, have CCTV cameras at the front of the properties, Sgt Thomson said the new technology left the others in the dust and would give clearer images to identify criminals.
“Technology goes so fast and quick, the technology the Fluid Lounge put in at the time was state-of-the-art, and is still brilliant, but when you compare that to this, it looks prehistoric,” he said.
Though the cameras can be monitored in real-time, and some can be remote-controlled, Sgt Thomson said the cameras would not breach people’s privacy.
“It’s not a Big Brother system,” he said.
“We’re not sitting there, watching people for the sake of watching them – it’s an investigative tool.”
Mr Smith praised the “community effort” involved in setting up the cameras, with the chamber footing ongoing maintenance bills and insurance.
He said that when cameras were installed in Lilydale, the area saw a decrease in crime of about 70 per cent, and that having the cameras would build “community confidence” for residents and tourists alike.
“It’s going to make a big, positive difference,” he said.
“At least 10” cameras were announced for the town in 2013, but Eclipse Security System’s Greg Flood said that new technology meant the town received better, more powerful cameras.
Healesville Chamber of Commerce president Alex Lagerwey praised the camera announcement, and said the Yarra Glen Chamber, which he presides over, was considering applying for funding for cameras.
