CCTV cameras have been a welcome security initiative in the Bay, so effective in some areas that more are being requested.
Havelock North in particular may be in for a security increase if the Hastings District Council accepts a recent proposal for two more of the cameras.
Hastings district councillor Wayne Bradshaw
said he had been working with the Havelock North Business Association on the idea, and last week they submitted a formal request for the cameras.
He said the cameras will ideally be located on Joll Rd and Te Mata Rd as a way to monitor the main entry and exit points of the popular Bay party spot.
"Those places are particularly important as they are where most people are coming and going from. CCTV will offer wider and better coverage for the Havelock Community."
Havelock North Business Association president Adrienne Pierce said the request for new cameras was integrated into the business association's three-year budget.
"It's another way of promoting safety in the village and protecting our members," she said.
Havelock North Senior Sergeant Bob Gordon says the existing cameras have greatly improved the security in the village.
"The cameras are one of the things that have come in the last 10 or 12 years out here. I'd just hate to think what it would be like without the cameras."
His sentiments were echoed by police bay-wide, who said the cameras were effective tools both as deterrents and extra "eyes" in the community.
"This year's experience shows that closed circuit TV is a very good deterrent," said Hastings Police Sergeant Brian Smith.
Napier Police crime prevention adviser Paul Miller said the cameras went beyond deterring crimes.
"They are definitely a decent asset in terms of detection and finding persons after a crime has been committed, and we often use them to monitor people, too.
"If there is a gathering of people that looks to turn to trouble, we can get there and disperse it perhaps before a crime is committed," he said.
The cameras were installed in 2002 in a bid to increase safety and wellbeing in public spaces.
