CCTV drives coast safety

A man who was left in a coma after being assaulted at a Point Peron carpark earlier this year has toldThe Telegraph the decision to place closed circuit television technology at the location is a major boost to the community.

A number of coastal carparks in the Rockingham region have become hotspots for crime and antisocial behaviour, with vehicle break-ins, graffiti, theft and assault reported to police this year.

In the highest-profile incident father-of-two Lawrence David Henrisson was left fighting for his life after allegedly being punched and struck with a baseball bat in a Point Peron carpark in the early hours of Sunday, February 28.

Trent Travis Ninyette, Muhammad Salleh and Mustaqiim Salleh were later apprehended by police and charged with one count of grievous bodily harm each.

All three are due to appear at Perth Magistrate’s Court on December 9.

The City of Rockingham has looked to make coastal carparks safer and placed a mobile CCTV camera at Mersey Point in August.

However, with Point Peron on Department of Parks and Wildlife-owned land, the decision to put CCTV there was a State Government decision.

The City has been handed a $225,000 grant to install mobile CCTV at Point Peron, which was completed on Friday.

Mr Henrisson lauded the decision and said it could go a long way to prevent antisocial behaviour.

“A negative incident has resulted in a very positive stance from the City of Rockingham and the State Government, with regards to the CCTV camera installation at Point Peron,” he told theTelegraph .

“People should be able to enjoy such a beautiful location without having to worry about their safety.

“Hopefully it will help prevent crime or help police catch offenders.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the mobile unit had the capacity to live stream directly to the Rockingham Police Station.

“CCTV does not stop crime from occurring; however, it does aid in crime prevention, improves community perception and feelings of safety, and can assist police with inquiries,” he said.