CAPALABA MP Don Brown says Redland City Council should apply for funding to put security cameras in city hotspots.
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The state government this week opened applications for its Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program which provides councils with money for projects like security cameras and lighting in public places.
Mr Brown said councils had until February 8 to apply for a share of $58 million.
“I want to encourage Redland City Council to put their application in for CCTV in our city,” Mr Brown said.
However, Cr Wendy Boglary says cameras in Redlands would have a bigger impact if they could be used to address antisocial behaviour.
Cr Boglary has been pushing for the words antisocial behaviour to be included in the city’s security camera policy that was approved in July.
In December, councillors agreed to delay deciding on a policy amendment until officers had prepared information on the subject.
Cr Boglary said she was frustrated that if council received a grant, the money could not be used for cameras to address antisocial behaviour.
“Redland City Council must, like all other south-east Queensland councils, use all tools available to increase community safety.”
Council’s security camera policy states that security cameras would be used for collecting evidence relating to protecting property against crime such as vandalism, theft and graffiti occurring on council-owned or controlled infrastructure, buildings, land and public spaces, for local law infringements like illegal dumping and parking and for interactions between the public and staff in and around council buildings.
“Security cameras will not be prioritised by council to address traffic offences or antisocial behaviour,” the policy states.
Cr Boglary said she realised that cameras would not put a stop to antisocial behaviour but believed they had a role.
“Every other council in south-east Queensland speaks favourably about cameras and the impact they have,” she said.
“Some councils use their own money to pay for them – that’s how strongly they feel about them.”
Cr Boglary said the state government was responsible for policing and reducing crime but council also had a responsibility for community safety.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the community wanted council to take action on CCTV in hotspot areas.
“We want to work with council to deliver this and here is a perfect opportunity,” Ms Richards said.
