Cyclists on the popular Yarra Boulevard in Kew can ride with confidence this long weekend thanks to the deployment of new mobile CCTV trailers.
The safety boost, which also aims to reduce hoon driving, drug activity and anti-social behaviour including dangerous tacks, was made possible by a $110,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program.
The three new mobile CCTV trailers will be managed by Victoria Police, and monitor the 6km stretch of the Boulevard that has been the target of malicious tacking incidents over the years.
Two of the units are already on site and the third will be deployed soon, all of which also aim to tackle other challenges such as hoon driving, drug activity and anti-social behaviour.
The units are able to capture footage in low light conditions and will assist Victoria Police in identifying culprits.
Following community concern and an estimated cost of $100,000 per year for VicRoads to sweep the Boulevard with a magnetic mat, Victoria Police established the Yarra Boulevard Committee, which consisted of representatives from Boroondara City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Cycling Victoria and local resident groups.
The Committee worked together to identify environmental design and cost-effective options to improve road safety in the precinct and deter further criminal activity.
The mobility of the units means that in the long term they can be redeployed to other areas to improve public safety and strengthen police operations.
Since 2015, the Victorian Government has provided almost $15 million in Public Safety Infrastructure Grants to support 92 projects under the Community Crime Prevention Program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Crime Prevention Natalie Hutchins
“These mobile CCTV units are going to significantly improve the safety of cyclists and other road users along Yarra Boulevard who have been unfairly targeted by dangerous tacking.”
“With the lifting of the 5km limit on movement we expect to see more cyclists enjoying a ride on the Boulevard this long weekend and they will see the new CCTV units in place.”
Quote attributable to Member for Southern Metropolitan Enver Erdogan
“It’s great to see a solution to the problems that cyclists and other road users have suffered as a result of this offending. Thanks to this investment, our community will feel safe when using this space for travel and exercise.”
Reviewed 22 October 2020