Bay towns to get security cameras

Security cameras will be installed in three Western Bay townships to combat increasingly bold vandals and thieves.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has approved the move and has asked that plans be drawn up to place closed circuit television cameras in Omokoroa, Waihi Beach and Maketu.
In each town there will be two cameras, a recorder and a laptop for remote viewing, at a cost of $16,500 for each system.
A further three systems at a total cost of $33,000 would be purchased for remote locations although exactly where has yet to be decided.
The councillors voted in favour of staff preparing more in-depth plans for the systems - detailing exact locations and who would pay.
The funding could either come from council, the local community board, or a combination.
Councillor Paul Thomas suggested that police should contribute as the system would be of great assistance. "Fundamentally we are doing the job of the police," he said.
The issue of installing cameras in the Western Bay has gained momentum following the death of 45-year-old Te Puke man Dale Poole last November who was badly beaten, robbed of $100 and left to die on the footpath of Jellicoe St.
Tauranga police already make use of security cameras in downtown. The Lakes residential development has installed closed circuit systems.
Police were "fully supportive" of the council installing the system, Senior Sergeant Dave Archibald of Greerton said.
Police would help select the locations most in need of surveillance.
Project consultant Mike Mills added: "The cameras mainly have deterrent and preventative benefits rather than capturing crime."
"Papamoa Hills carpark is an example of that."
Katikati and Te Puke would be next on the council's list and including them in the security system was likely to become part of the council's 10-year plan.
Initially footage would be recorded at a remote location in each township but in the second round of funding, a wireless system would send the images to Tauranga City Council's office where trained security staff would view the live footage.
Cr Jo Gravit questioned the use of a wireless system, asking if it would make more sense to piggyback on a cable broadband network which is being investigated.
Richard Eaton, of security company Nutech, said it made sense financially to use radiowaves unless you could use a line without paying internet provider charges. To lease a radiowave costs around $400 a year while sending live video feed just a few hundred metres through a Telecom-owned cable could cost closer to $10,000 a year.