Police Minister Mark Ryan in Maryborough for launch of CCTV initiative

A new initiative launched in Maryborough will bring criminals to justice faster, with members of the community able to register their CCTV cameras so police have faster access to evidence to help them solve crimes. Read how.

Police will have faster access to cameras watching out for crime across the region, thanks to a new initiative launched on the Fraser Coast on Tuesday.

Police Minister Mark Ryan and Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders joined Inspector Paul Algie of the Maryborough Police Patrol Group to launch the Queensland Police Service Community Camera Alliance initiative for the Maryborough and Bundaberg communities.

The initiative allows businesses and residents to register their CCTV systems with police to help with preventing and solving crime.

Businesses and residents take part in the program on a voluntary basis, with registration details being securely stored on a police database only accessible by police on approved devices.

Police Minister Mark Ryan and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders joined Inspector Paul Algie of the Maryborough Police Patrol Group to launch the Queensland Police Service Community Camera Alliance initiative for the Maryborough and Bundaberg communities.

Inspector Algie said registering with the Community Camera Alliance gave police access to an important investigative resource.

Instead of having to go door knocking to ascertain what footage was available, it would allow for faster access as police would know where CCTV cameras were across the region.

He said the initiative had already been rolled out across other communities in Queensland.

Inspector Algie said it signified increased collaboration between the community and police and it would help officers in carrying out their investigations.

“The Community Camera Alliance creates a network of available CCTV points across our towns and regions which can be called upon when investigating neighbourhood crime,” Inspector Algie said.

“If police believe that a CCTV system can assist to solve a crime or help in any other way, people registered in a particular area will be contacted and asked to provide assistance.

“CCTV has become an important investigative tool and the Community Camera Alliance helps maximise the efficiency of investigations and minimise the loss of potential evidence.

Police Minister Mark Ryan and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders joined Inspector Paul Algie of the Maryborough Police Patrol Group to launch the Queensland Police Service Community Camera Alliance initiative for the Maryborough and Bundaberg communities.

“We strongly urge any Maryborough or Bundaberg resident with a CCTV system installed to go online and register it,” he said.

Mr Ryan said the Community Camera Alliance provided an opportunity for police and residents to work together to make communities safer.

“This is a true community partnership,” he said.

“This partnership is about police knowing where all the CCTV cameras are so they can act quickly, get the evidence they need and use that evidence to apprehend offenders and enhance community safety.”

Mr Ryan said it was another opportunity for the community to work with police and in turn, “the police give a commitment to the community – they will use that information to gather evidence and wherever possible apprehend offenders, bring them before the courts and ensure that those people are held to account for the crimes that they commit”.

“Police are only as good as the information the community provides to them,” he said.

“This QPS-led initiative promotes a positive relationship between the community and the police, providing local residents and businesses an opportunity to be actively involved in protecting their neighbourhoods.”

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders welcomed the initiative as another way of connecting police and the community.

“Community members often ask what more they can do to assist local police, and the Community Camera Alliance provides an effective way for residents to help prevent and solve crime,’’ Mr Saunders said.

“This initiative is a great example of how local police and residents can work in unison to make the community a safer place to live.”

To register your CCTV cameras, click here.