Surveillance just got smarter in the City of Logan with more cameras and new AI technology helping to keep suburbs safe.
New mobile and covert cameras have been deployed as part of Logan City Council’s expanding safety camera network, which watches over hundreds of streets, parks and public areas across the city.
Each of the city’s 1400 cameras is now monitored through Council’s state-of-the-art camera room, which is staffed by police and Council officers 24/7.
With hundreds of hours of footage collected each week, new visual analysis technology is also slashing time spent searching for information of interest.
Staff can now quickly condense up to 24 hours of footage into brief, two-to-five minute clips featuring particular characteristics, such as “red cars”, or “people with backpacks”.
What could have taken hours, will now take moments, when police are searching for people or the movements of vehicles through an area.
The technology has also created new efficiencies for Logan City Council’s Rapid Response Taskforce, which can quickly isolate and respond to public nuisance incidents like abandoned vehicles, dumped shopping trolleys or the posting of illegal signs.
Mayor Jon Raven said City of Logan residents could feel comforted about having more cameras on the case.
“The City of Logan is the best place in South East Queensland to raise a family, and improvements to our camera network help us keep it that way,” Cr Raven said.
“It means police can respond more quickly to crimes happening in our communities, or better investigate incidents that have already occurred.
“This technology isn’t just about responding to crime, with more eyes on illegal dumping, graffiti and littering, it means we can keep our streets clean.
“The rollout of new AI technology, alongside the deployment of more mobile cameras, is a game changer for our community and their peace of mind.”
Approximately 30 new cameras are installed in the City of Logan annually, with many funded through Council’s Local Infrastructure Program or contributions from the state and federal governments.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has maintained a permanent presence in Council’s camera monitoring room since 2020.
The network captures relevant information on over 20 per cent of police incidents.
Police use the network to source information more than 1,000 times a month.
Recent improvements to the camera network have not changed the type of footage captured.
Covert cameras are only used where concerns have been raised about the security of an area, or where a suspected offence may be occurring.
Logan City Council continues to operate in line with the Information Privacy Act 2009 to protect the rights of individuals.
