City’s CCTV cameras system ‘past it’

Invercargill’s city centre camera system is described as a valuable tool to assist criminal investigations in the city, although the current setup is ‘‘past it’’.

The existing closed-circuit television system in central Invercargill was installed in 2005 and is funded by the Invercargill City Council. However, it is operated and monitored by police.

In 2018 police representatives met with the council and encouraged it to provide further investment to provide wider coverage. Police stated better imagery and new locations within the CBD, South City, and other ‘‘hot spot locations’’ was needed.

The council’s strategic asset planning manager Russell Pearson has indicated the existing cameras were deemed old technology and may also be in the wrong locations to deliver what was needed. ‘‘The current street-based equipment is considered to be past its use-by date in terms of technology advances in this space.’’

The matter will be brought back to the council at an infrastructural services committee tomorrow. It’s been recommended a budget of about $300,000 would be needed to sort the past it camera system.

Pearson says in his report that four years ago solutions were considered as being unrealistic, both financially, storage or technology-wise. However, those solutions can now be delivered.

‘‘The technology and how it is stored, transmitted, protected and shared has now become a specialised technology solution.’’

In a statement from police on Friday, it says CCTV is a valuable tool to police and is routinely used to investigate criminal offending. ‘‘Police welcome any investment that will help our communities be safe and feel safe.’’

Should council proceed with a review of CCTV and potential upgrade project, it has been recommended that council establishes a group that will include elected members, council staff, and police to confirm the scope and reasons for ongoing investment.

The NZ Police would be key to the ongoing successful operation of any system that may be installed, Pearson says. On top of the city centre camera system operated by police the council also has a number of other CCTV networks within its buildings and around a range of areas.

Parks also have a number of cameras predominantly around Queens Park, and they are recorded on-site at Queens Park.

‘‘The current street-based equipment is considered to be past its use-by date.’’ Russell Pearson Invercargill City Council