Published Thursday, 06 December, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Taxi crims warned to smile for the camera
Anyone planning anything illegal in or near a Queensland taxi over the festive season has been warned to smile for the camera because they are being watched.
Minister for Transport, Trade and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, said today taxis in all urban centres throughout the State now had security cameras fitted that can record everyone in or approaching the cab.
"Queensland Transport has launched a marketing campaign across the state warning people not to even think about doing the wrong thing," he said.
"Normally during the festive season there is an increase in criminal behaviour involving taxis – mostly from young people affected by alcohol.
"This year, it's different because every incident will be caught on camera and the perpetrators caught and brought to justice.
"The State Government spent $8.75 million over the past two years progressively installing the world's best security camera system in 3092 Queensland taxis to make them safer for drivers and passengers.
"That investment has already reaped rewards with police using the images in some 500 investigations so far," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said this resulted in 79 convictions, with 49 more prosecutions underway, 15 cautions, 64 unsubstantiated complaints, five withdrawn prosecutions and around 270 matters still under investigation.
"Research conducted by the Taxi Council of Queensland found that the most common forms of illegal activity in taxis were fare evasion, assault (verbal and physical), robbery and vehicle damage. Taxi companies tell us that the incidence of these crimes is already dropping because of the cameras," he said.
"A University of Queensland survey found that 76.4 percent of taxi drivers feel safer after the cameras are installed, and 78.2 percent of drivers consider the camera systems an appropriate deterrent to crime.
"In other States where taxi cameras have been fitted the overall crime rate has been cut by around 50 percent. While it is too soon for Queensland to provide definitive figures, police say there is a downward trend – especially in crimes like fare evasion," Mr Mickel said.
He said warning posters and other campaign material is now being distributed through pubs and clubs in identified hot spots throughout the State. These areas include Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.
"Convenience advertising, with two different humorous and light-hearted advertisements, is being used – targeting both young men and women," Mr Mickel said.
"The advertisements will also be positioned at ranks in areas with high taxi patronage.
"It's a simple message – if you do the wrong thing you will be caught on camera and the images will be used to prosecute you, so don't do it.
"Road and rank ragers who seek to attack drivers from outside the taxi should smile for the outdoor camera as well – anyone near the driver will have their image recorded," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said law abiding passengers had nothing to fear from the cameras. Strict privacy provisions made it illegal for anyone but police and special approved personnel to download images. The use of downloaded images was also strictly controlled by legislation.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
December 6, 2007
Minister for Transport, Trade and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, said today taxis in all urban centres throughout the State now had security cameras fitted that can record everyone in or approaching the cab.
"Queensland Transport has launched a marketing campaign across the state warning people not to even think about doing the wrong thing," he said.
"Normally during the festive season there is an increase in criminal behaviour involving taxis – mostly from young people affected by alcohol.
"This year, it's different because every incident will be caught on camera and the perpetrators caught and brought to justice.
"The State Government spent $8.75 million over the past two years progressively installing the world's best security camera system in 3092 Queensland taxis to make them safer for drivers and passengers.
"That investment has already reaped rewards with police using the images in some 500 investigations so far," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said this resulted in 79 convictions, with 49 more prosecutions underway, 15 cautions, 64 unsubstantiated complaints, five withdrawn prosecutions and around 270 matters still under investigation.
"Research conducted by the Taxi Council of Queensland found that the most common forms of illegal activity in taxis were fare evasion, assault (verbal and physical), robbery and vehicle damage. Taxi companies tell us that the incidence of these crimes is already dropping because of the cameras," he said.
"A University of Queensland survey found that 76.4 percent of taxi drivers feel safer after the cameras are installed, and 78.2 percent of drivers consider the camera systems an appropriate deterrent to crime.
"In other States where taxi cameras have been fitted the overall crime rate has been cut by around 50 percent. While it is too soon for Queensland to provide definitive figures, police say there is a downward trend – especially in crimes like fare evasion," Mr Mickel said.
He said warning posters and other campaign material is now being distributed through pubs and clubs in identified hot spots throughout the State. These areas include Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Hervey Bay and Gladstone.
"Convenience advertising, with two different humorous and light-hearted advertisements, is being used – targeting both young men and women," Mr Mickel said.
"The advertisements will also be positioned at ranks in areas with high taxi patronage.
"It's a simple message – if you do the wrong thing you will be caught on camera and the images will be used to prosecute you, so don't do it.
"Road and rank ragers who seek to attack drivers from outside the taxi should smile for the outdoor camera as well – anyone near the driver will have their image recorded," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said law abiding passengers had nothing to fear from the cameras. Strict privacy provisions made it illegal for anyone but police and special approved personnel to download images. The use of downloaded images was also strictly controlled by legislation.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
December 6, 2007