Cairns cops ask CCTV owners to register to help fight crime
Cairns residents can be superhero crime fighters and there’s no need to wear your knickers over you tights – here’s how you can help police investigations.
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A NETWORK of interconnected civilian cameras is helping crack crimes from Ellis Beach to Babinda – and now police want more watchful eyes to join the team.
Cairns police say they are encouraged to have more businesses signing up to join the Community Camera Alliance.
Acting Inspector Marty Ots said dozens of business were registering their closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems with police online to help prevent and solve crime.
The numbers are telling.
“It’s been quite positive, we had 60 yesterday morning registered and up to 77 in total this morning,” he said.
“This allows police to solve crimes quicker and get back on the streets faster.
“It's a great way to present evidence to courts and instead of police footslogging the suburbs to see who’s got cameras which might provide footage, it’s so much more effective.”
Act Insp Ots hoped more businesses – and householders – would sign up.
“If all businesses could sign up, if we can get the information through the CCTV quicker, we can keep the community safer in a more efficient manner,” he said.
“Individual householders can sign up but they must use the name on their diver’s licence.”
Senior Sergeant Simon Laverty said the hi-tech equipment was giving police an edge in catching criminals in the Cairns CBD and further afield.
It means assaults, drug deals and general misbehaviour can now be live-streamed directly into the hands of nearby police.
“Using the CCTV is another tool in our kit to proactively and efficiently fight crime,” he said.
“When we have a crime reported we have officers go straight to the print which allows us to identify offenders really quickly.”
The QPS program allows business owners and residents to participate on a voluntary basis, with registration details being securely stored on a police database only accessible by police on approved devices.
“We strongly urge any Cairns resident with a CCTV system installed to go online and register them,” he said.
Visit forms.police.qld.gov.au/CCTVRegistration to register.
Originally published as Cairns cops ask CCTV owners to register to help fight crime
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