Camera surveillance expected to reduce crime on the ridge

The CCTV camera on Northcliff Ridge Ecopark is officially up and running.

SCP Security director, Clive Maher said the idea of the surveillance for the Northcliff Ecoridge has been a long time coming.

The project required funding, as well as approval by the council for the installation. There have been a number of complaints about the lack of security on the ridge and a number of crime-related incidents have taken place.

It’s also been a concern to the security company.

“Northcliff Tower has become a popular venue for visitors and the community to gather and enjoy the sunset or sunrise.

It becomes rather busy in the late afternoons and especially on weekends. As the ridge is situated in the heart of a residential area, it poses many risk factors in relation to safety and the ability to enforce by-laws and ensuring those who go up to the tower can do so safely and without a cause for concern,” said Maher.

He added the camera on the ridge is primarily used to target only the ridge and the access paths and roads leading up to the tower.

It’s monitoring the activities taking place and operates on an auto-tracking basis, which means when it picks up the movement of people and cars it photographs and records them.

The camera was funded by a resident of Ecoridge. The security company funded the resources to monitor and track the movements of members of the public, who visit the ridge.

“The ridge is a definite hotspot that requires surveillance. If you’re going there to enjoy yourself, you have nothing to worry about but if you’re going there to cause problems, do drugs, get drunk, throw bottles and litter around and vandalise the park, you’re going to get caught on camera. You’ll be prosecuted accordingly; you have been warned!” said Maher.

 

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