Regional Cities Victoria reckons country areas should be included in a new crime crackdown apparently targeted at Melbourne only.
This follows the state government’s announcement that $5 million will be spent giving police access to live CCTV footage to combat the so-called Hospitality Wars.
In a statement, RCV’s deputy chair Michael Gobel – who’s also the Mayor of Wodonga – said the criminal behaviour impacting our capital city is also a threat to the regions.
“Organised crime does not stop at the Calder or the Princes Freeway,” Cr Gobel said.
“If criminals know the cameras stop at the metro boundary, what does that mean for regional businesses?
“A camera network that only watches Melbourne is not a statewide solution – it’s a statewide vulnerability.”
That message from RCV – which counts Greater Bendigo council as one of its ten members – comes as Melbourne grapples with a sudden and alarming rise in hospitality businesses like pubs and clubs being firebombed.
Police are at a loss as to what’s behind the activity, claiming it doesn’t appear to be linked to the Tobacco Turf Wars and that the perpetrators are adolescents with no criminal history.
“These attacks are driven by gutless thugs exploiting young people,” Police minister Anthony Carbines said in a statement.
“Victoria Police is working tirelessly to find these criminals – and they won’t rest until they do.
“We’re backing Victoria Police with more resources and getting more of them out on the streets.”
The $5 million being put forward aims to give hospitality venues the option of allowing their surveillance cameras to be accessed by police.
In turn, according to the government, this will give officers “enhanced real-time vision of venues to improve response times and help prevent further attacks”.
But the initiative, known as “Eyes on the City”, doesn’t appear to include non-metro areas like Central Victoria.
As such, Cr Gobel said regional Victoria should either receive its own dedicated “Eyes on our Regions” surveillance and safety program, or regional businesses should be eligible to apply for support through the government’s $10 million Hospitality Security Fund.
“Regional Victorians pay taxes too. Their businesses help fund this program, so they deserve access to it,” Cr Gobel said.
“Crime doesn’t recognise postcodes and any government response to this crime wave shouldn’t either.”
The state government has been contacted for comment regarding RCV’s concerns.
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