By Aneeka Simonis
Residents turning CCTV detectives look to the law…
ORGANISERS of the crime-fighting CCTV plan to virtually guard Lakeside estate are currently seeking legal advice from the state justice department.
Shadow Minister for Crime Edward O’Donohue and Bass MP Brian Paynter last week held preliminary talks with organisers who will soon take their virtual security plan to Pakenham police.
One person has already put their hand up to fund about half a dozen cameras covering each of the Pakenham estate’s entrances, with possibilities for community fundraising for the remaining cameras.
More than 40 residents, including some from surrounding Pakenham estates including Heritage Springs, turned out to a community consultation about the innovative proposal dubbed Neighbourhood Watch for the 21st century.
Under the $5000 plan, all entrances, exits, parks and roundabouts in the residential estate in Pakenham would be under 24 hour camera surveillance as part of the community-led and managed initiative.
Cameras would be mounted on private property and residents would sponsor the bandwidth bill for the closed security surveillance system accessible to police via an encrypted tracking website.
Plan instigator and Lakeside resident Giles Gibson said the surveillance proposal will hopefully discourage would-be thieves from targeting the estate and will help speed up police investigations when crimes occur.
“It’ll be like putting a digital fence around Lakeside,” he said.
Barry Plant Pakenham’s Nicola Parreira put her hand up to personally fund the first few high-definition day and night vision cameras.
They are planned to be fitted at the estate’s entrances and exits, virtually gating the residential zone.
“I live and breathe Lakeside. It’s my core area and I want to be able to help. There’s been so much crime going on in the area lately,” she said.
Cardinia police Inspector Shane Smith said he and other senior members at Pakenham police station will soon meet with organisers to discuss the proposal.
“We are happy to work with the group. We are always looking for new, innovative ways to investigate crime,” Insp Smith said.
Unlike most home surveillance systems, this proposal would see the camera face away from the owners’ property and toward public spaces.
Organisers are currently seeking advice from the Department of Justice and Regulations’ Community Crime Prevention Unit around the privacy of the footage.
In parliament on Tuesday 26 October, Mr O’Donohue asked Minister for Police Lisa Neville to facilitate a meeting between the department and organisers to “ensure the CCTV systems work in compliance with privacy laws and other statutory requirements.”
Residents who offer up their property to host cameras will likely have to sign a privacy agreement prohibiting the release of CCTV captured images to anyone by police, Mr Gibson said.
“We aren’t looking at a name and shame system. We don’t want that. We want a co-ordinated approach with police,” he said.
More than a dozen Lakeside residents have volunteered to take part in the security proposal.
Cameras can be colour-matched to residents’ property and will be no larger than a cigarette packet.
Organisers outlined plans to apply for State Government grants to cover the cost of the project in addition to launching a crowdfunding site.
It may also be sponsored by local businesses.
Barry Plant Pakenham has flagged its intention to possibly pour more funds into the plan.
Police in Cardinia shire, Casey and Greater Dandenong began a public campaign for residents to register their private CCTV surveillance system with them earlier this year.
Cardinia Shire Council is currently pushing for CCTV cameras to be installed at known crime hang-out, Bourke Park opposite Pakenham train station.
