THERE will be nowhere to hide for Orange’s vandals because big brother is coming to town.
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Next month Orange City Council is expected to purchase two mobile surveillance cameras which can be positioned anywhere in the city.
Council spokesperson Allan Reeder said the cameras were designed to act as a deterrent against vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
The cameras will initially be positioned at the hockey fields at Glenroi to combat an ongoing crime problem.
But their location afterwards is anyone’s guess.
“The new units are solar-powered, and because they don’t need to be connected to electricity, they can be moved simply to different locations anywhere in public areas around Orange as the need arises,” he said.
The two cameras cost $6000 and will be positioned high on poles but with signage informing residents of their location.
Each camera can capture a 360 degree view using two lenses.
March Street Pet Foods Owner Peter Moad was recently a victim of vandalism and said the mobile surveillance cameras would be a great idea to deter people who thought they had a right to destroy the property of others.
“I went and bought a security camera straight after my window was smashed,” he said.
“It’s a good idea that they can be moved to attack different areas where there is a lot of crime.”
The cameras will not be monitored full time but will send vision back to a computer at council. Police can request any footage needed for investigations, Mr Reeder said.
Second Chance Collectables owner Peter Blacklow has had his business’s window smashed four times in the past few years but did not think it was up to council to take on crime prevention.
“I question why it is within their role.. the police do a great job with their patrols at certain times when it is most prevalent like Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.
“Most businesses have their own security companies.”
Council staff will determine the location of the cameras and will review how effective they are in reducing and preventing vandalism