CCTV Cameras Could be an Australian First in Metford

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In what could be an Australian first, Metford Neighbourhood Watch are lending CCTV cameras to residents for free.

The group applied for a grant from Neighbourhood Watch Australasia as a part of their Safe Community Grants program and received $900 worth of CCTV cameras.

Hunter region coordinator Bill Hackney says the group have applied for a few grants, making the neighbourhood a bigger part of the community.

"We have been applying for neighbourhood watch grants for the last few years and have been successful for similar small projects."

If you're concerned for your safety, on the fourth Monday of each month you can go along to the group's monthly meeting, state your case and get access to one of the cameras for a month.

"Come along to our monthly meetings, sit down and express the situation, we'll be offering them on a one-month loan, obviously the community comes, show some identification and agree to some simple terms of damage and responsibility," said Bill Hackney.

The camera footage will provide evidence-based material to give to police which residents can do themselves, or the Neighbourhood Watch can do on their behalf.

Bill Hackney Image Hunter Independent

UPDATED: Department of Education responds to surveillance camera allegedly uncovered at a primary school in Maitland

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE:

The Department of Education has since responded to 2NURFM's request for a response.

"Student wellbeing is Ashtonfield Public School's highest priority.

CCTV cameras can support the school as a safe environment, and the school has signage throughout advising that CCTV can be used outdoors and indoors in general use areas and classrooms.

A camera has been put in plain sight in a classroom as part of a response to a police matter.

The matter does not involve nor put any students at risk, but it is not appropriate for the school to comment on such matters."

In addition, the Department provided reasons for why public schools use CCTV surveillance which included monitoring premises for after hours security and during the course of the working day for added security; they say surveillance is also used to monitor sick bays and student time-out rooms or other specific areas in schools.


EARLIER:

It's understood a surveillance camera has been discovered at a primary school in the Maitland area in a kindergarten classroom.

A concerned parent contacted local MP Jenny Aitchison after she discovered the camera and then heard three different stories about why it was there.

She's demanding the correct answer after she was first told it was a part of a high school students project, then the Department of Education allegedly told her it was a part of a film and then she was also told it was to catch someone who was apparently bullying a teacher.

"Given that there are three stories the onus is really on the Department to say why the camera was there, you know if the reason given by the director, of course, is that it was to be covertly finding out about bullying of a teacher that is also a concern, just the bullying in itself, but also how the school is addressing that issue," said Jenny Aitchison.

There are now reports the surveillance has now been removed but there's no solid answer about where it has gone.

"The video has actually been removed and the department isn't sure where it is so there are quite a few concerns about that. I've contacted the minister this morning about that and we've asked him to look into that issue. I understand the parent did also address that concern to him."

The Department of Education has been asked for comment.