CLP promises to buy new mobile CCTV units to deter crime in Palmerston

THE CLP has revealed its latest commitment to combat crime, as part of its broader crime policy

FIVE new mobile CCTV units will be purchased at a cost of $750,000 and installed across Palmerston under the CLP’s latest policy commitment to combat crime.

The CLP policy, announced yesterday by leader Lia Finocchiaro, comes after three playgrounds were vandalised by fire in Palmerston last week, with the damage set to cost the council tens of thousands of dollars.

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The spend, as part of the CLP’s broader crime policy, would allow police to “flexibly locate” five mobile CCTV units in known problem areas to deter crime.

Example of NT police mobile closed-circuit television (CCTV) units.

Northern Territory Police Association president Paul McCue said they were supportive of the commitment though it had not yet been consulted and would be seeking clarification from the CLP on whether the $750,000 would be new funding or be reallocated from the “already strained” police budget.

Mr McCue also questioned if the $750,000 included more CCTV operators.

“The community needs a break from crime and a message needs to be sent to offenders that we won’t tolerate their behaviour anymore. If you do break the law, you will be caught and face the consequences,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

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The CLP previously released a six-pronged approach to strengthen the ability of the Northern Territory’s police force to tackle crime and make communities safe, including reversing the “watering down of penalties for youth offenders”.

The policy has been slammed by lawyers as “blatantly stupid” and akin to a health policy that promoted smoking.