Senior Sergeant John Fookes and intelligence analyst Constable Sean Drader, in their submission to the Queenstown Lakes District Council's draft town centre strategy, called on the council to make a CCTV system a strategic policy.
The officers said CCTV in the central business district would make the town centre feel safer, more comfortable and more pleasant for pedestrians.
"Police understand the funding issues around CCTV implementation and suggest consideration be given to having those licensed premises that remain open past a particular time to contribute towards the cost of such a system," the submission continued.
"This suggestion is based on the fact that nearly all offenders arrested in the CBD during the late evening and early morning are adversely affected by alcohol - consumed on licensed premises."
CCTV was a "realistic and effective tool" in preventing and investigating crime and Queenstown's centre was "perfectly suited" to its use.
"The particular problems we are facing are the type of problems which can be reduced with CCTV."
Adopting CCTV would signal that the council was committed to reducing the incidence and fear of crime and enhancing quality of life, the submission said.
It would likely foster greater use of community facilities and increase people's safety and wellbeing.
More pedestrians would mean "better business, higher turnover, employment, rents, capital values and rates".
The installation of CCTV could lead to a reduction in the social costs of crime, as crime was lowered, and reduce the number of victims.
"A security camera network would be a backstop system in the event of a serious adverse incident impacting long-term on tourism marketing."
Snr Sgt Fookes said in a statement last night Queenstown police would not be making further comment on the submission until it had been considered by the appropriate committee.
Submissions on the council's draft town centre strategy close at 5pm today.
