Member for Barkly Steve Edgington has lashed out at the NT Labor Government after another bout of vandalism in Tennant Creek.

This time the people of Tennant Creek’s local post office boxes have been smashed and broken into.

Mr Edgington questioned the expenditure of CCTV cameras in the town, when there seems to be no use for them.

”I have always thought the presence of a CCTV camera is to prevent, detect and deter offenders and to assist police in identifying offenders to help with investigations,” he said.

“CCTV should be a tool to help prevent crime but this will only occur if they are monitored locally and resources are deployed to hotspots to deal with any suspicious behaviour.

“At present it seems that although there are more cameras, there is also more crime.”

Mr Edgington said the impact the cameras are having in Tennant Creek is questionable and it is still unclear what the intent and purpose behind these CCTV cameras actually is.

“Is it to assist police with investigations or act as a deterrent or both?” he asked.

Mr Edgington said Territorians should be asking for the Fyles Labor Government to provide the necessary resources to ensure CCTV is monitored in Tennant Creek and used to prevent crime and to stop the damage being caused to local businesses.

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 30 September 2022.