Crime eyes closed

CLOSED circuit television cameras that High Street traders fought to secure last year may be dumped, following a review of crime and safety in Berwick’s CBD.
Berwick received bi-partisan support for CCTV prior to the election in August last year.
After years of campaigning by local traders and the Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce (BVCC) then Labor candidate and current La Trobe MP Laura Smyth pledged $175,000 for the Berwick cameras.
Ms Smyth said the Federal Government was working to finalise the funding to deliver this project but it seemed the BVCC had changed its mind.
BVCC president and Westpac Bank manager Peter Fraser said he was considering a range of other options including mobile CCTV, security patrols and better lighting.
City of Casey Manager Community Safety Caroline Bell said the council lodged an application under the ‘Safer Suburbs’ funding program for an assessment of crime and safety issues and a review of crime data in the Berwick CBD, in partnership with Victoria Police.
“Following analysis of the data collected, a range of strategies to address any identified crime and amenity issues will be presented to the Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce and traders for consideration and prioritising. This includes but is not limited to, the installation of fixed or mobile CCTV cameras, upgrading of lighting in public areas and a business security awareness campaign,” Ms Bell said.