Casey councillors Rob Wilson and Michael Farley with local resident Tricia Clarke are looking for people to contribute to the City of Casey Lighting of Public Areas and Community Safety Taskforce.
By Callan Date
CASEY Council is trying to shine a light on the unsafe areas of the municipality with the establishment of a taskforce and they want help from local residents.
Increased lighting and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be at the forefront of discussions with the group set to investigate the illumination of shopping centre car parks, train stations, alleyways and several other public spaces.
The group, dubbed the City of Casey Lighting of Public Areas and Community Safety Taskforce, will be comprised of community representatives, two Casey councillors, several council officers and a member of Victoria Police.
Casey manager of traffic Paul Hamilton said the taskforce would meet on a monthly basis and discuss issues relating to the lighting of public areas and public safety initiatives in Casey.
“Part of the group’s role will be to review the adequacy of lighting of public areas for buildings, streets and recreational facilities within Casey, which will inform policy development covering Council-controlled public areas,” Mr Hamilton said.
“They will also consider crime prevention through environmental design, CCTV camera options and council’s environmental performance targets,” he said.
Casey Council operates CCTV cameras at several key council facilities throughout the municipality, including the Civic Centre in Narre Warren.
Casey’s director of community services Jennie Lee said the city was all for improved safety measures.
“Casey remains committed to the use of CCTV and is currently working in partnership with Victoria Police on an initiative to use CCTV to deter and identify vandals at a number of locations in the municipality,” she said.
Involvement in the taskforce is voluntary and membership will be for the term of the project, expected to conclude at end of June 2008.
Applications close at 5pm on Thursday, 11 October. Application forms are available from www.casey.vic.gov.au or by calling 9705 5200.
