Councillors unanimously passed a motion tonight calling for an investigation on the installation of CCTV in Victoria Street, Richmond/Abbotsford.

Mayor Roberto Colanzi said the motion proposed that the report be prepared in consultation with Victoria Police, expert bodies and relevant community stakeholders.

“Councillors also asked that the report address learnings from any other CCTV installations, particularly in relation to deterrence or prosecution of criminal activity, including drug trafficking,” Mayor Colanzi said.

Other items requested for inclusion in the report are costs, funding options and any impact on residents in streets near Victoria Street.

The last time Council debated CCTV installation was in 2011, when it resolved not to consider installation at that time.

Mayor Roberto Colanzi said councillors were unanimous in agreeing it was time to debate the issue again.

“On Monday night, we invited Victoria Police’s Yarra Inspector Dean McGowan to present to us on public safety and a range of issues including drugs and CCTV.

“Public safety is an issue that concerns us all and many people have strong views on the merits or not of CCTV as a deterrent for crime.

“This resolution enables Council to revisit the facts and have an informed debate with input from experts in our community.”

Mayor Colanzi said that the report would be provided to councillors at the second Council meeting of March and will be discussed in open Council.

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