New closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras with the capability to detect antisocial behaviour have been installed at Curtin University’s Bentley Campus.
The cameras, installed outside the Curtin Stadium and hockey grounds car park, form part of a network of around 500 CCTV cameras installed at many locations which will further enhance the safety for all Curtin students and staff.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket said the cameras were part of the $10.5 million security upgrade the University had implemented since 2007 to ensure the safety of students and staff.
“The CCTV cameras provide security officers in the control room a comprehensive view of the Campus, and allow officers to respond to incidents,” Professor Hacket said.
“Later this year, a new Curtin-research-developed initiative will be linked to the cameras, allowing them to ‘learn’ normal behaviour and then to bring up the video when an anomaly is detected.”
The University’s security initiatives, including additional vehicles, some equipped with video monitoring equipment, were highlighted to Professor Hacket and Guild President Ali Kirke during the annual security walk this week.
“Curtin is continuing its commitment to providing comprehensive security for its students and staff,” Professor Hacket said.
“The number of incidents reported to security in 2011 was almost half that reported in the previous year, and these additional improvements are aimed at reducing incidents even further.”
Curtin launched a free wheelchair-accessible local bus service – Curtin Area Bus Service (CABS) for staff and students living near the Bentley Campus in 2010. The service has been expanded due to its popularity over the past two years, and last year carried more than 120,000 students.
“CABS is just one of the initiatives demonstrating Curtin’s ongoing commitment to improving student safety and access to the Bentley Campus,” Professor Hacket said.
Guild President Ali Kirke said the security initiatives put in place to protect members of Curtin’s community were fantastic.
“Safety is not just about the physical aspects, such as CCTV cameras, but also the mindset of safety that allows students to feel safe,” Ms Kirke said.
“Safety is about educating the community in parallel with the security upgrades.”
Contacts:
Denise Cahill, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 1931, Mobile: 0401 103 683, Email: d.cahill@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
