Thirteen CCTV cameras are proposed for the Kiama CBD following discussions between Kiama Municipal Council, Lake Illawarra Police and a CCTV camera supplier. These locations, shown by the red and white dots, are approximate.
INVESTIGATIONS into installing CCTV cameras in the Kiama CBD have reached the next stage, with Kiama Municipal Council establishing a Community Safety Committee to develop a crime prevention plan.
Councillors also resolved to seek funding opportunities from the state and federal governments for the $130,000 needed to buy the cameras.
Kiama councillor Dennis Seage was behind the renewed push for CCTV and was pleased it had progressed.
"It should be done, it should have been done years ago," he said.
The council has released possible locations for 13 cameras based on its discussions with Lake Illawarra Police and a CCTV camera supplier.
The proposed layout would include eight cameras along Terralong Street between Railway Parade and Rosebank Place.
Two additional cameras would be located at Railway Parade near Kiama Library, one would be located on Shoalhaven Street south of the taxi rank and another two would be located on Collins Street to the south of the roundabout.
The cameras would not be constantly monitored, however Lake Illawarra Police has indicated it would use recordings to detect perpetrators following an incident.
With the previous council voting against proceeding with CCTV in December 2010, Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said the new mix of councillors since September last year had led to a different outcome.
"I'm not yet convinced it's the way to go - I'm not seeing CCTV having much impact on reducing crime, it seems to be having more impact on solving some crimes," he said.
While the crime rate in Kiama was still quite low, Cr Petschler thought recent armed hold-ups in the town centre would affect people's thinking on the issue.
"There has a been a disturbing escalation recently, but hopefully it's a one-off," he said.
Cr Petschler said the committee would be seeking police and community input.
Lake Illawarra Local Area Command Sergeant Jason Harrison said police would be keen to work with the council, but would await the council's invitation.