Thirty-two CCTV cameras have been made live in the South Windsor shopping precinct to help boost local security.
Installed along George Street in late December, the cameras were the result of a concerted push by the community and local businesses, and images have already assisted local police with investigations into a robbery.
The cameras went through a commissioning phase, involving Hawkesbury City Council liaising with contractors and consultants as well as Hawkesbury police, a council spokeswoman said.
“Once all cameras angles were determined and the appropriate monitors were installed at Hawkesbury police, the CCTV was made live for police to access in early June,” she said.
The cameras were installed as part of the Safer Streets Program, which saw $186,723 of federal funds provided for the project.
Hawkesbury Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett said the funding meant the cameras could be installed at no cost to ratepayers.
“The CCTV will help to increase security and safety for the local business community and shoppers, while giving NSW Police an effective tool to prevent crime and target antisocial activity,” she said.
Macquarie MP Susan Templeman said the program would help make the area safer.
“This CCTV footage is making a difference. Already, local shop keepers have told us that Hawkesbury police have been able to use the footage following a recent robbery,” she said.
She also acknowledged the work of a local business owner who spearheaded the push for the cameras.
“I really want to acknowledge and congratulate one of the key drivers of this project, Jo Dunstan, from Angels Florist, which was formerly based at South Windsor,” she said.
“Without Jo’s long-running efforts for better security at South Windsor shops to bring together the local business community, this CCTV initiative wouldn’t have happened.
“The Safer Streets Program supports communities at the grass roots level to help address crime and anti-social behaviour, and boost crime prevention.”