MORE CCTV A GOOD THING

BIGGER Brother will soon be watching right across the Gold Coast.

At least that is what Mayor Tom Tate wants to happen.

The city leader has unveiled his idea to get a CCTV camera on almost every corner of the Gold Coast in a bid to reduce crime. The move has been a long time coming. As more and more tourists come to the Glitter Strip – last count was 13 million annually – the city has a responsibility to take steps to ensure the safety of every visitor.

It is not just for their sakes but for the people living and working here too.

The Gold Coast is far behind other international tourist cities.

The London camera network is so vast it is estimated the average Londoner is caught on camera about 300 times a day.

New York has about 6000 cameras in the city and is trialling facial recognition systems and licence plate number recognition as well as traditional CCTV surveillance.

On the Gold Coast, the CCTV network so far boasts 530 cameras which is roughly one for every 1225 residents. In Taiwan, where the Mayor recently visited, he was inspired by its 10,500 cameras which amounts to one for every 247 residents.

Knowing someone is watching might mean that someone thinks twice before smashing a business window, throwing a haymaker on a night out or using the street as a public toilet.

And for those who do not think twice about the eye in the sky – police will be able to access images of just what has happened.

This footage can not only help police track down perpetrators but is valuable evidence when the matter goes to court.

The city’s network and bunker where the camera vision is constantly monitored is an impressive system.

The planned additional CCTV will help boost the Gold Coast reputation as a safe city and give some security to those who already live here.