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COMMUNITY SAFETY

Cooktown Safety Camera Network

 

The Cook Shire Council is committed to promoting community safety and positive relations. Our Safety Camera Network aims to create a safer environment for residents, workers, and visitors in Cooktown.

Network Installation and Expansion

In November 2020, the Cook Shire Council, in partnership with the Queensland Police Service (QPS), installed seven closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, including two licence plate recognition cameras, at three key locations identified by the Cooktown Police:

Charlotte Street/Harrigan Street/Boundary Street Roundabout
  • 3 dome cameras
Charlotte Street and Racecourse Road Intersection
  • 1 dome camera
  • 1 licence plate recognition camera
Hope Street and Racecourse Road Intersection
  • 1 dome camera
  • 1 licence plate recognition camera

To address community needs and support law enforcement, the Safety Camera Network has been expanded to include additional areas prone to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity:

  • John Street Oval and Toilet Blocks
  • Cook Shire Council Main Administration Building
  • Cooktown Library
Objectives of the Safety Camera Network

The network is designed to achieve the following:

  • Enhance employee and public safety
  • Deter crime, criminal damage, and public disorder
  • Assist in identifying and prosecuting offenders
  • Identify traffic management issues
  • Monitor and protect Council facilities, assets, plant, and equipment
  • Provide real-time monitoring and review of visitors at Council facilities
  • Support emergency services agencies
Privacy Protections

Our CCTV system operates under strict guidelines and privacy controls to balance crime prevention and individual privacy. The program is limited to addressing crimes against persons, serious crimes, and crowd management. In compliance with state and federal Information Privacy Principles and the Queensland Public Records Act 2002:

  • Recorded images are used/disclosed only for law enforcement or other lawful purposes.
  • Recordings are retained according to legislated requirements and accessed by QPS as needed.
  • Images not part of ongoing investigations or legal proceedings are disposed of per the Public Records Act 2002.

All CCTV camera areas are clearly signposted to deter crime, enhance public safety perception, and inform the public for privacy reasons.

Additional Resources
  • Council’s CCTV Policy: Download here
  • Emergencies: Call 000
  • Police Attendance: Call Cooktown Police at (07) 4069 5688
  • Online: Policelink (or call 131 444)
  • General Queries: Contact the Cook Shire Council from 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM, Monday to Friday, at (07) 4082 0500

Queensland Police Service also offers a number of resources on crime prevention, personal safety, safety in public and home security, to assist our community.