Randwick Council endorses $240,000 for extra CCTV, bollards amid anti-Semitic attacks

Bollards and surveillance cameras will become the new normal outside synagogues and schools in the eastern suburbs, with one local council deciding to spend six-figures to bolster security in the region. Have your say.

An eastern suburbs council will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on additional CCTV cameras and bollards to combat rising anti-Semitism, after previous measures failed to curb repeat attacks.

Randwick Council Mayor Dylan Parker requested the council spend an additional $150,000 on CCTV and $90,000 on fixed and retractable bollards to deter criminal activity near “Jewish institutions and properties”.

Council endorsed the full $240,000 security upgrade at their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.

The decision to enforce additional security comes after Randwick Council spent $150,000 on the installation of CCTV in late January, which failed to stem the rise of graffiti, vandalism and arson attacks targeting the Jewish community.

Anti-Semitic graffiti was found on Mount Sinai College one week after the initial CCTV blitz, followed by the discovery of offensive anti-Semitic messages on cars, garages and homes in Kingsford and Randwick on February 3.

A council worker is seen working to remove the graffiti at a house next door to the Mount Sinai College in Maroubra. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Mr Parker said the request for extra security was necessary to keep Jewish communities safe.

“The recent rise in anti-Semitic attacks across Sydney, including in our local area, is deeply concerning,” Mr Parker said.

“Council has acted swiftly to install additional CCTV cameras and bollards at vulnerable sites to improve safety and deter future incidents.

“In light of recent attacks, it is crucial that we take decisive action. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all residents who have been affected.”

Randwick Council Mayor Dylan Parker requested the extra security measures. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The funding spree follows a security assessment undertaken with NSW Police which identified six high-risk sites across the local area in need of additional security.

Police will be able to access live and recorded footage from the new CCTV cameras under an existing agreement with Randwick Council.

A report from the General Manager about the “co-ordinated response to eastern suburbs anti-Semitic incidents,” revealed the council will continue holding weekly briefings with NSW Police about the progress of its criminal investigations.

Randwick Council has also partnered with Waverley and Woollahra Council to conduct a joint security audit of local Jewish sites.

Council said it will seek funding from the state and federal governments to offset the costs of the new CCTV and bollards.

Originally published as Randwick Council endorses $240,000 for extra CCTV, bollards amid anti-Semitic attacks