A contractor from Wellington company I-See installs one of
10 CCTV cameras in Queenstown last June. Photo by Christina
McDonald.
Due to wet weather dampening the enthusiasm of revellers
and the presence of extra police officers in Queenstown during
the new year period, the CCTV system was not called upon,
Sergeant Steve Watt said.
Sgt Watt, of Queenstown police, said most offenders were
arrested immediately after any relevant incidents so there
was ''no requirement to utilise the cameras''.
Sgt Watt said the monitors at the Queenstown police station
displaying live scenes were not manned during the festivities
but police were considering this option for times when large
numbers of visitors were in town, such as the Winter
Festival.
The resort's camera system, consisting of 10 closed-circuit
television cameras, was installed immediately before the
Winter Festival last year, but suffered teething problems
during its first weekend.
Queenstown police were supported by out-of-town officers
during the Christmas period, and on New Year's Eve nearly 45
out-of-town officers boosted numbers to nearly 70 officers on
duty. The number of arrests was slightly down on the previous
year, Sgt Watt said, despite more than 1000 young people
camping at the Lakeview Holiday Park.
''Their behaviour was in check.''
Arrests included a Christchurch man found in a central car
park with a large quantity of cannabis, resealable plastic
bags and cash and an allegedly intoxicated French woman who
crashed into a taxi then suggested New Zealand authorities
should share responsibility for allowing her to drive.
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