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CCTV installed at Hamilton Park Cemetery
A CCTV system has been installed at Hamilton Park
Cemetery to prevent deliberate damage and burn-outs.
The cemetery, operated by Hamilton City Council’s Parks and Recreation Unit, is on the outskirts of the city and in recent years has seen an increasing amount of damage.
Maria Barrie, the Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager, says the growing number of vehicle burnouts are putting members of the public, mourners and her staff at risk – and is costing ratepayers money.
“Unfortunately, for some members of our community burnouts in cars or on motorcycles are seen as a mark of respect at a funeral,” Ms Barrie says.
“But it’s unsafe and there’s a very real threat of one of these people will lose control of the vehicle.”
Burnouts are damaging roads throughout the cemetery – and those roads, along with burial lawns, will be monitored by the CCTV system.
In a situation where the system captures footage of a burnout or any other act of anti-social behaviour or vandalism at the cemetery, the Council will pursue the matter with police.
Ms Barrie reassured the public the CCTV system will not be used to monitor services in the chapel or cremations.
The installation of this kind of security system at a publicly owned asset or site is not uncommon – the Council has them at other sites such as FMG Stadium Waikato and Hamilton Zoo.
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