Former Security Project team member, Grant Matthews
Security companies are being invited to put up options for improved security coverage in Ōtorohanga.
A spate of break-ins at businesses early last year served as a catalyst for establishing a Security Project Team, which includes representatives from Elevate, Ōtorohanga District Council and police.
Patrols, paid for through a targeted rate, were stepped up in the interim while more high tech solutions were considered.
The project’s team has identified a need for a CCTV network to “help prevent crime by monitoring vehicle movements, increasing public safety and deterring offences”, a statement reads. ‘The NZ Police supports community CCTV and may use it for investigations, especially in vulnerable areas where coverage could aid their efforts.’
A new CCTV network is intended to be adaptable, so additional cameras can be added as required, and to cater for improvements in technology. Some businesses already have cameras but a unified network of cameras is needed, the team has contended.
The requirement for the proposed system will be cameras at five sites on roads leading into the town and allow for the addition an integrated system connecting cameras to police.
Although Paper Plus Ōtorohanga owner Grant Matthews stepped down from the project and the Elevate board at the end of the year, he still believes improving security is a top priority for the town.
“It’s a community effort between the police and the community,” the former Security Project team member said.
“CCTV cameras are just one part of their efforts, but if there’s anything that makes it easier for police to catch people or deter crime, businesses in Ōtorohanga will be all for it.”
Following a survey of businesses in mid-2025, the project team began looking at the finer details.
“A key finding from the survey was that the business community really wants to see licence plate reading cameras, an automatic number plate recognition system,” Matthews said at the time.
“Police suggested this is the gold standard as a deterrent and as a tool to help catch offenders because, quite often, they’re coming into town in stolen vehicles.”
However, cost effectiveness will underpin any decisions.
“Whether it’s going to be good bang for our buck is something we need to look into further,” Matthews said. “Obviously, this will all have to be paid for.”
