CCTV cameras still to be installed at Richmond drug hotspot despite state government’s promise
THE installation of CCTV cameras at a notorious Richmond intersection has been delayed by more than six months by the local council while brazen drug deals continue to take place in broad daylight.
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BRAZEN daylight drug deals are still being done in an area of Richmond that should have been under CCTV camera surveillance as far back as March.
The state government provided funding for the cameras, despite installation being opposed by the local council.
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But after eight months, only eight of the promised 13 CCTV cameras have been set up.
And there are still none at the intersection of Victoria and Lennox streets, the crossing at the epicentre of Richmond’s “heroin rectangle”.
In just 30 minutes the Herald Sun saw several drug deals take place at the intersection, within metres of where the cameras were supposed to be.
A group of men wearing baseball caps, sunglasses and hoodies spent most of Wednesday afternoon loitering outside an Asian grocery.
At least two men could be seen reaching into their pants and exchanging unmarked bags with multiple customers.
Government spokesman Nathan Motton said the cameras were a “priority” and it was the local council that was responsible for the delay.
“City of Yarra councillors have long opposed CCTV because they’ve put politics ahead of public safety,” he said.
But Yarra mayor Amanda Stone said council had refused government requests to fund the cameras because the cost was too high and local councils should not be responsible for a “policing issue”.
She denied council had delayed the cameras’ installation.
Cr Stephen Jolly suggested “a political delay” by the government, rather than an infrastructure or technical problem, was to blame.
He said the $250,000 project was a “total waste of money” as the cameras would only push drug deals off the main road and into side streets.
In 2011, the Greens-dominated council rejected pleas from local traders for video cameras to monitor anti-social behaviour along Victoria St.
President of the Victoria St Traders Association Meca Ho said he had campaigned for cameras for seven years and was frustrated by the delay.
“People don’t feel safe. I know it’s not a total solution, but it will help public perception,” he said.
“But the government isn’t getting the support from the local council, who have made it very difficult for them.”
It is understood the remaining five CCTV cameras are expected to be installed within the next week.