BY LISA GERVAIS

7/05/2009 5:10:00 PM

If the Mudgee community is serious about getting CCTV cameras in the Central Business District (CBD) they had better get serious about joining a community consultative committee.

So far, there have been no expressions of interest to join the committee, which is an integral part of investigating the feasibility of installing CCTV in the Mudgee CBD.

Mudgee Local Area Commander, Superintendent Mick Cleary said the investigation into the possible use of CCTV is a council-driven process at this stage but council and police have been disappointed at the lack of interest shown to date.

Mid-Western Regional Council has expressed some interest in devoting funds to CCTV but the process must first go through a committee, which comprises various community representatives.

Supt Cleary said he had had some experience with CCTV cameras and while they are not the “be all and end all, it does have some effect on crime prevention. It is a very useful tool although it does have some limitations but it is a tool that can assist police.

“I would encourage members of the community to give up some of their time because we need to discuss these issues and whether it is worthwhile installing them.”