Security cameras under threat: Trust

The plug could be pulled on the city's surveillance camera system without increased funding from the Napier City Council, Barry Searle, a member of the Napier Safety Trust, said yesterday.
Mr Searle, along with fellow trust members Senior Constable Shane Gibson and Ron Ward of Taradale, made a submission calling for financial help at the Napier council's draft 10-year plan hearing.
He said the trust was faced with "significant decisions" as a result of shortfalls in funding.
While the system was responsible for more than 50 arrests last year, and had proven to be a deterrent to graffiti, vandalism and theft from cars, it was struggling to stay afloat.
"At the time of this presentation the trust has barely sufficient funds to continue operating," Mr Searle said.
"It is likely in the foreseeable future, based on the state of the trust accounts, we will be forced to suspend operations until further funds can be raised."
Mr Searle, a former police detective, opened the trust's books to the council's draft plan committee members - pointing out that there was $11,151 in the trust's bank account and of that $10,000 was already earmarked for an extension to the Taradale CCTV system.
The trust also had a bill for $3394 from Airnet for communications band use.
"We are reliant on the goodwill of the bandwidth suppliers as payments are being delayed whilst funding is sought on a month-to-month basis to meet costs," Mr Searle said.
He said the council had effectively got off the hook when it came to having a security camera system installed.
He said after the council chose not to run with the CCTV idea in the previous plan, the Napier Safety Trust was formed in 2004, driven by current trust member Ron Ward of Taradale.
Funds were raised for cameras, although the system installed was dictated by that funding.
"Once we got it up and going, they didn't have to worry about it," Mr Searle said, adding that the Napier council was the only one among the 21 major centres he contacted throughout the North Island which did not own and operate a CCTV system.
The trust presently has eight cameras in the Napier CBD, three at West Quay in Ahuriri, one in Taradale and one in Maraenui.
At present the council provides an annual grant of $22,500.
"That doesn't even cover the running costs."
Mr Searle said both Taupo and Gisborne had recently spent six-figure sums to install and maintain CCTV systems, while Christchurch City Council had undertaken a $1 million upgrade of its system.
"These systems work. They solve crime and they deter crime on the streets," Mr Searle said.
The trust was calling for an initial injection of $100,000 for a required upgrade, and an ongoing grant of $50,000 annually. t
Mr Searle said council had three alternatives: To take full ownership of the existing system and provide it with fibre optic capability; to increase its current level of support; to do nothing.
He added the latter would mean the CCTV system would "cease to exist" by Christmas.
The council will consider the submission.