Call for security cameras
Guest speaker at the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual general meeting, Acting Sergeant Andy Balderstone (left) is welcomed by newly elected president Darryl McGannon.
PROVISION for closed circuit television cameras for Leongatha was raised at the annual general meeting of the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry last Tuesday night at Bair’s Hotel.
Guest speaker at the meeting, Acting Sergeant Andy Balderstone of Leongatha Police asked the chamber, if the opportunity arose, would they support a funding application for CCTV cameras. The chamber gave the affirmative.
“At this stage there isn’t an opportunity but it’s something that we can look at in the future,” Acting Sergeant Balderstone said.
The only town in South Gippsland with CCTV coverage in the street is Inverloch.
Acting Sergeant Balderstone said since cameras were installed at Inverloch, there had been a drop in minor assaults and damage to property.
“It’s a huge deterrent to have them in the street,” he said.
The Star approached McCartin’s Hotel publican Philip Botte and asked if he thought it was a good idea and he agreed, saying he had already installed four in the street outside his entrances.
“Some of the cameras concentrate on a small area outside the doors, while others give a broader view to the kerbside,” he said.
Mr Botte said the cameras had been quite useful, the police having used footage to help with enquiries.
He said the cameras worked by acting as a deterrent to unruly behaviour but will also catch those who misbehave.
Acting Sergeant Balderstone also brought up the matter of a 24 hour police station for Leongatha, the front page story in The Star several weeks ago.
“All I can say is that residents of Leongatha need to be patient. It will happen but it is more of a longer term plan than short term,” he said.
“It can be difficult working out of a town without a 24 hour police presence.”
He said the second biggest issue for Leongatha was its youth. The perception is that there isn’t much to do in the town except go to the skateboard bowl and the disco.
Sometimes youth are found wandering the streets at night and are often given a free ride in the police car back to their parents.
“It’s a problem wherever you go but country towns are generally better than the cities,” Acting Sgt Balderstone said.
“The police have done some great work with the Year 10-12 students, with driver education programs and the handling of the muck-up day activities.
“We’re doing all right at the top end of schooling but more needs to be done in the Year 6-8 school levels.”
The other concern for Leongatha he said, not uncommon in other towns, is alcohol.
“Security staff at hotels have a responsibility to tell patrons when they have had enough and it is time to leave,” Acting Sgt Balderstone said.
The issue is getting the patrons home once the pubs are shut.
One idea raised at the meeting was to have a community bus or a bus run by the hotel to transport people home, both in town and in neighbouring towns. Acting Sergeant Balderstone said he would look into this suggestion.
He added that the police had a good working relationship with publicans in the area and often discussed issues raised from excessive consumption of alcohol.
Once the guest speaker had finished, the election of office-bearers took place, with Darryl McGannon elected unopposed for another year as chamber president.
Barb Carpenter was re-elected to the position of secretary/treasurer and Tony Giles was elected as vice-president. Committee members elected were Sandra Fleming, John Markham, Peter Watchorn and Kay Peru.
Short URL: /?p=1467
Posted by 
