Halifax CCTV cameras go live ahead of Christmas

A new $400,000 CCTV system to capture suspicious activity and thieves targeting Halifax has officially gone live in time for Christmas.

As part of a bigger $3 million enhancement project funded by the State Government, 22 cameras have been positioned to capture all incoming and outgoing traffic in the commercial area.

And it will all be live-streamed to police.

The project was managed by the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chief executive officer Mark Seaward was extremely pleased with the results.

“It’s better than I anticipated,” he said.

The two megapixel cameras are running 24 hours a day and can be accessed remotely by police who are able to alter their angle and zoom to target particular areas.

Up to four months of footage can be stored at a time and to further improve visibility, 18 LED floodlights have also been installed.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch was pleased Halifax business owners would have peace of mind while they took some family time over Christmas, knowing the CCTV network would be running in their absence.

“Better lighting will also be a deterrent to criminals and, in tandem with the cameras, this will make a real difference to safety and security in Halifax,” Mr Punch said.

If someone’s making the decision to get in there and steal something, there’s an increased risk they’re going to get caught and hopefully they’ll think twice.

“I think it will give a lot of reassurance to the business owners out there and help them directly, but it also sends a clear message to people who are thinking Halifax is an easy target – well that’s changed.”

South West Development Commission chief executive officer Mellisa Teede said the installation of the CCTV cameras was a “great outcome” for Halifax businesses.

“We worked with local businesses and organisations to build the case for the project – and we are pleased local businesses will now start benefiting,” she said.