Victoria Police have teamed up with VicRoads, Parks Victoria, local Councils and community groups to deploy new mobile CCTV trailers along Yarra Boulevard in Kew in an effort boost cyclists’ safety.
Minister for Crime Prevention, Natalie Hutchins said the safety boost, which also aims to reduce hoon driving, drug activity and anti-social behaviour, was made possible by a $110,000 grant from the Department of Justice and Community Safety’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,” Ms Hutchins said
“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,” she said.
“The units are able to capture footage in low light conditions and will assist Victoria Police in identifying culprits.”
Ms Hutchins said Victoria Police established the Yarra Boulevard Committee with representatives from VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Boroondara City Council, Cycling Victoria and local resident groups following community safety concerns and an estimated cost of $100,000 per year for the Boulevard to be swept with a magnetic mat. Ms Hutchins said Victoria Police established the Yarra Boulevard Committee with representatives from VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Boroondara City Council, Cycling Victoria and local resident groups following community safety concerns and an estimated cost of $100,000 per year for the Boulevard to be swept with a magnetic mat.
“The Committee worked together to identify environmental design and cost-effective options to improve road safety in the precinct and deter further criminal activity,” she said.
“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,” Ms Hutchins said.
