The City of Rockingham in Western Australia has expanded its $1.5 million CCTV network with the purchase of a mobile, solar-powered CCTV camera.
The camera can be moved to different locations identified as hotspots by the City. It is currently located at a carpark in Mersey Point and will be moved every few weeks to a new site. It will return to Mersey Point as part of this scheduled rotation, mainly during the summer period.
‘Hotspots’ are areas that have been identified as having higher occurrences of anti-social and criminal behaviour.
The frequency of incidents is determined by information obtained from police, the City’s community safety patrol SmartWatch, the outcomes of Crime Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED) audits undertaken by trained City staff, and community information.
Mayor Barry Sammels said the mobile camera was a valuable addition to the City’s extensive fixed CCTV network which included 118 cameras monitoring the Waterfront Precinct, Bungaree Park and many of the City’s facilities and building.
“The mobile camera helps us to target known hotspots where and when required, and is a valuable tool in addressing community concern and combating anti-social behaviour,” said the mayor.
He said the City hoped to purchase more mobile CCTV cameras in the future.
The mobile CCTV camera can only be located on City-owned or managed property.
The City’s CCTV project is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Digital Local Government program, the Safer Streets program, the City of Rockingham and Swim Safe.