Perth Voice Interactive

IT’LL cost Stirling ratepayers more than $110,000 for CCTV cameras at a Yokine playground.

Last June the council spent $67,500 on cameras, electrical work and surveillance management for Yokine Play Space, just off Wordsworth Avenue.

Because all that equipment was stolen before project completion — oh, the irony — the council has decided to spend an extra $44,000 on two thief-proof cameras and extra lighting.

A council report tabled in this month’s meeting states: “Given the history of such camera theft it was determined that the reinstallation of CCTV equipment in the same location, and using the same equipment, would in all likelihood end up with the cameras being stolen again.”

Improvements this time around include the use of 6-metre CCTV poles with “anti-climb brackets”.

Cameras will be placed near the car parks and toilets. The installation is a “direct response to ongoing anti-social behaviour issues”, such as graffiti and assault.

by EMMIE DOWLING