It is work they have done before but the new push might come with a new appreciation of how many cameras may now be operating in the city.
Dunedin police community relations co-ordinator Sergeant Matt Scoles was yesterday surprised to learn The Star team counted more than 600 cameras in the central city.
"It just seems a lot of cameras," he said.
The police worked on security camera coverage in the city some time ago. This information was now outdated, and taking another look was on his list, Sgt Scoles said.
City police might be interested in the privately monitored cameras in the city, but they already responded to footage from public security cameras.
Community volunteers based at the central police station monitor live feeds from the Dunedin City Council's cameras in the Octagon. The feeds are also monitored by officers through the week.
Sgt Scoles said this meant police could respond rapidly when a crime was identified.
Patrols were also dispatched when it looked as though something could happen. This was done to discourage crimes.
The presence of cameras could discourage offenders from committing crimes.
However, Sgt Scoles said cameras would not necessarily be a deterrent against crimes involving alcohol where "competent decision-making goes out the window".
Cameras were just one tool in the police arsenal, he said.
- By Jonathan Chilton-Towle
