August 15th, 2022Police, businesses, call for CCTV cameras

DAYLESFORD business owner Chris Hartigan came to work last Tuesday to find someone had tried to break into his Vincent Street business.
Luckily, his security systems stopped any possible theft, but one business next door was not so lucky and another also showed signs of thieves trying to break in.
Mr Hartigan is calling on Hepburn Shire Council to install CCTV cameras to not only act as a deterrent to would-be thieves but also provide police with evidence to follow up any incidents.
The council told The Local they were creating a policy and would eventually be rolling out cameras at the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve (in Creswick) and Collins Place in Clunes. Business owners were also able to install their own cameras.
Daylesford Police Acting Sergeant Ryan Newman said CCTV video would be a great help and the police were planning to approach the council to install Street Safe cameras.
Mr Hartigan praised the local police as being fantastic “but there is only so much they can do”.
“This is also a call-out to the community to be vigilant and report anything they think is suspicious.
“Someone would have seen something that night, people loitering around shops, and they can report that. Times are hard right now with the cost of living and when that happens crime increases. I am just getting that feeling that people are always loitering.
“And I think it’s time the council thought about installing CCTV cameras throughout the business area.”
Mr Hartigan opened his store, Slow Lane, just nine months ago, but has spent years in the region working as a hotel manager for some time. He says he remembers the council talking about installing CCTV cameras “but that was years ago”.
“We are a premier tourism town and we need protection. I would have been gutted if someone had broken into my business.”
Mr Hartigan, who is also keen to start a traders’ association, said while some people think business owners should install their own camera systems, it was another financial impost after a couple of hard years.
“I really believe it is council’s responsibility and they should be protecting us. The police do what they can but they are not here 24 hours – and that is another thing we should be looking at.
“If Dan Murphy’s is looking at coming in here, they can see the population projections for the future and Daylesford is really starting to move on to be pretty big time. CCTV cameras would be a helpful tool for the police, businesses and the community. It is a no-brainer.”
Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas said the council was currently developing a CCTV policy that will govern the maintenance and storage of vision from any future CCTV installed in public spaces in the shire.
“We are proposing to roll out CCTV at Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve (in Creswick) and Collins Place in Clunes once the policy has been finalised.
“We will also be seeking additional government grant funding to roll out CCTV in other areas where it is deemed to be beneficial.
“We know that theft can have a significant impact on businesses, residents and public amenity, and urge anyone affected to report these issues to Victoria Police.
“Where possible, business operators can also consider installing security systems, which along with preventing theft, can assist police with investigations.”
Acting Sgt Ryan Newman said there had been a significant amount of offences in Daylesford over the past month with thieves preying on unlocked cars, homes and garages.
“We really encourage the community to lock up their valuables, everything, it is a huge deterrent.”
Acting Sgt Newman said most of the offences were carried out between 3am and 6am and anyone who saw anything suspicious should call Triple 0.
Even if the Daylesford Police Station was not staffed, there were often police from the region or further afield in the area, he said.
He said police were always talking to community members and especially business owners about getting CCTV installed.
“We were going to approach the council to run some ideas with them about installing Street Safe cameras but there is quite a cost to the community.”
Acting Sgt Newman said whoever tried to break into Mr Hartigan’s and surrounding businesses had used a chisel-type tool.
Fingerprints and evidence had been taken but there was no footage and no offenders had been identified. Police were still investigating, he said.
Words: Donna Kelly