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CCTV cameras finally installed on Railway Ave in Ringwood East

AFTER three years of waiting, new security cameras have finally been activated on a Ringwood shopping strip.

Ringwood East cafe owner Bill Buchanan welcomes the activation of CCTV cameras on Railway Ave after being assaulted. Picture: Lawrence Pinder
Ringwood East cafe owner Bill Buchanan welcomes the activation of CCTV cameras on Railway Ave after being assaulted. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

SIX long-awaited security cameras in Ringwood East have finally been switched on — nearly three years after Maroondah Council was given the money to install them.

The CCTV cameras around the Railway Ave shopping strip were activated on Tuesday (August 29) afternoon, just weeks after police investigating a sex attack hit a roadblock when they realised the cameras were not in use.

Ringwood East CCTV not switched on three months after installation

The activation is a relief to Cafe Emjay owner Bill Buchanan, who was punched in the face near the IGA supermarket in September last year.

Although Mr Buchanan expressed doubt the placement of the cameras would act as a deterrent, he said they would help catch criminals.

“We’ve got a much better chance now of being able to get things investigated,” he said.

“It’s been a long wait but apparently they are quality cameras that will pick up activity in the night and day.”

The Federal Government gave Maroondah Council $200,000 in November 2014 to install the cameras, but the council did little until the Leader launched a campaign last year.

Bill Buchanan was coward punched near his Ringwood East cafe in September last year.
Bill Buchanan was coward punched near his Ringwood East cafe in September last year.

Yet, as recently as early August, the council confirmed only one camera was working and the others were still waiting to be installed on Metro Trains and VicTrack land.

Mr Buchanan said he was “amazed” it took so long for the cameras to be activated.

“They built the Empire State Building in little over one year and it took us three years to get six cameras,” he said.

Despite the assault on him on top of recent crime, including a theft from a local worker’s car, Mr Buchanan downplayed safety concerns along the shopping strip.

“I don’t think anyone has felt unsafe really, it’s just because of the fact we’re in an area where there is quite a bit of psychiatric hospital action that we do get some very odd people up and down the street at times,” he said.

“There’s no reason to feel unsafe here, it’s just the cameras might be helpful at times when there is an issue.”

Mr Buchanan is now calling for more CCTV cameras, particularly around Ringwood East train station.

“We’ve only got six and we’re trying to lobby the Federal Government to see if we can get a few more bucks to finish the job,” he said.

“There are some blind spots and missing areas, so some more cameras would just finish it for us.”

In a statement, Maroondah Council confirmed the cameras were now in use.

“The council has worked closely with the Ringwood East Traders and Victoria Police, as well as VicTrack and Metro Trains, to provide an improved and integrated safety solution for this busy precinct,” the statement said.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/cctv-cameras-finally-installed-on-railway-ave-in-ringwood-east/news-story/c7ca1e29848f32fa4cc2f90766c65069