ALBURY councillor Darren Cameron will spend the weekend lobbying colleagues for support of a trial of closed circuit television cameras on the Dean Street nightclub strip.
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Cr Cameron has been pushing for security cameras in central Albury since earlier this year when a worrying spike in grog-fuelled violence emerged.
Twelve months ago the council put the CCTV issues on hold for 12 months after the latest crime data at the time showed offences were down 24 per cent a year over a five-year period to March last year.
The issue returns to the council on Monday night and Cr Cameron will need to overcome staff resistance.
The staff recommend developing “safety initiatives” at the expense of cameras.
They initiatives include working with transport providers, investigating the installation of sensor lighting in lanes or parks, continual work with Albury Police, advocating for a stronger police presence and extra security guards in Dean Street at high risk times.
“A multi-faceted approach to reducing the impact of alcohol-related crime is most likely to be successful,” the staff report states.
“A large range of initiatives which can influence crime are available to businesses, communities and a range of governments.
“Each group must decide which initiatives are best deployed to minimise crime and also the impact of crime on local communities.”
But staff have presented options for councillors if they choose to introduce CCTV.
They include spending $25,000 to look at a system for the entire length of Dean Street or spending $18,000 on a system between David and Elizabeth-Townsend streets.
The two options give the council the chance to undertake a two-year trial period which Cr Cameron is prepared to accept.
“I believe a trial is a good idea,” Cr Cameron said.
“It will enable us to test the veracity of different claims as to whether it helps reduce crime or not.
“It is very clear from the figures that the vast majority of people in Albury think CCTV in Dean Street would be both effective and a good idea.
“I’m hopeful my fellow councillors will support a trial.”
Council has previously considered reports on CCTV installation in 2008, 2010 and October last year and each time decided against following the lead of other councils to bring them in.