Public safety will be the focus of an upgrade to Launceston’s CCTV surveillance system.
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A $100,000 federal government grant will allow the City of Launceston to transform the current security infrastructure in both the CBD and the Kings Meadows area.
The council will contribute an additional $100,000 to the project which will allow the upgrade of 25 cameras and installation of 15 more.
The announcement also follows the approval of a 12-month trial of two CCTV cameras in Rocherlea this week.
“It is really about more safety in and around our beautiful city,” Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said.
Mayor van Zetten said the council would be working closely with police to determine where the new cameras should be installed.
Tasmania Police Senior Sergeant Craig Fox said CCTV was a “quality investigative tool”.
“Going to a digital network will bring us up to speed with our investigations, we will be able identify cars and people through number plate and facial recognition,” he said.
“Anything that makes people feel safe and be safe in public spaces is exactly what we are about.”
The grant is being delivered under the national Safer Communities Fund, which focuses on crime prevention in local communities.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator, David Bushby, said the federal government was committed to “confronting crime without hesitation”.
“This funding highlights the federal government’s commitment to … delivering the means to enable practical measures which are intended to have an immediate impact on increasing community safety,” he said.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by December.