SECURITY CAMERAS MAKE QUEENSLAND CABS SAFER

Queensland taxis are now much safer, with more than 2900 security cameras fitted to cabs in major towns and cities already helping catch criminals.

Premier Peter Beattie and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Minister, Paul Lucas today said the cameras were already catching crooks, with footage from them assisting in 169 police investigations.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety of taxi drivers and passengers,” Mr Beattie said

“My Government provided $8 million from November, 2005, to install cameras in taxis in major towns and cities. This program is making travel safer for taxi drivers and passengers.

“We also provided cameras at no cost to more thanr 100 new taxi licences issued throughout Queensland during 2006.

“Today I can announce we’re providing another $750,000 for security camera coverage of the entire taxi fleet by the end of 2007. That will bring the total number of taxis fitted with security cameras to about 3200 vehicles.

Mr Beattie said Queensland Transport would work with individual operators in remote areas to tailor the camera system to their local needs. This could include increased memory capability and providing download computers to the nearest police station.

“There may be some isolated cases where an operator in a remote area believes a camera is not practical and Queensland Transport will examine them on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the local community and police to determine if an exemption is appropriate,” Mr Beattie said.

Mr Beattie said while it was still too early to get firm figures on how much cameras had cut taxi-related crime, in other states assaults had been cut by around 50% following the installation of security cameras.

“The VerifEYEsystem installed in Queensland cabs is the world's best and provides excellent image quality that can be used as evidence in court,” he said.

Mr Beattie said incidents so far caught on cameras in Queensland cabs included: five assaults with robbery; 17 thefts; 51 assaults; 91 fare evasions and 24 acts of vandalism.

Mr Lucas said police have already taken action on a range matters, including:

- 54 offenders have been located;

- 35 people have been through the court system already with 12 people being convicted and 20 prosecutions still in progress. Two people failed to appear and one had no conviction recorded,

- 21 people are on the Police wanted list.

“But the real value of the cameras is the crimes that are not committed because would-be offenders know they are on camera and will almost certainly be caught by police,” Mr Lucas said.

“We have instituted very strict privacy provisions to ensure the images cannot be used improperly.

“People out on the town, having having some fun without committing an offence need not be concerned about their images appearing anywhere.

“Only police and other authorised personnel are permitted to download the images, and they can only do so in the event that an offence is alleged to have been committed.

“There are very severe penalties for improper use of taxi camera images,” Mr Lucas said.

“This project created local job opportunities throughout the state, both for the installation of the cameras and the ongoing maintenance they will require.

"While the government paid for the supply and installation of the cameras, ongoing maintenance and the fitting out of new taxis from now on is the responsibility of the taxi operator,” Mr Lucas said.

“The cameras are tamper-proof and secure. All cameras are fitted with infra-red lighting so images can be taken in any lighting.

“Cameras are fitted above the rear vision mirror and externally above the driver’s door. Images are captured every few seconds by triggers like the door opening and the meter turning on and off.

“They can be triggered either manually or by a duress alarm,” Mr Lucas said.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge: 3237 1942

Premier’s office 3224 4500

28 December 2006