Article: CCTV cameras 'not enough' to stop train station crime

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click --> here!

CCTV cameras 'not enough' to stop train station crime

CCTV cameras 'not enough' to stop train station crime
Marissa Calligeros and Georgia Waters
August 17, 2010 - 6:06AM

Car parks at Brisbane train stations should be locked and accessed with Go Cards in a bid to improve security, a public transport lobby group has suggested in the wake of a violent attack on two young commuters.

Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said while Brisbane's train stations were statistically safe, more could be done to improve security in station car parks.

Sunday night's attack ensued when two women, both aged 21, were returning to their car at Coorparoo train station about 9pm.

They were both assaulted after refusing to hand over the keys to their white Kia hatchback.

Their attackers stole the car and fled.

"QR have [locked up car parks] in the past but that was more about preventing cars from being broken into during the day," Mr Dow said.

"We would like to see secure car parks where you need to use a pass to get in, for example using Go Cards.

"It would also then control who's using park'n'ride car parks and restrict it to only public transport users."

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman didn't rule out the suggestion, but said tactics to combat crime were "constantly being reviewed".

"Serious crime on the [QR] network has not climbed in recent years despite considerable patronage growth," she said.

The spokeswoman said QR had installed 6800 closed-circuit television cameras across the interurban rail network - 4300 of which were at train stations and car parks.

"In relation to the incident at Coorparoo station car park, police have been supplied footage to assist with their investigation," she said.

"The rollout of surveillance cameras across the network has been particularly effective, not in only preventing crime but also assisting police in tracking down offenders and prosecuting them through the courts."

However Bond University criminologist Paul Wilson said while CCTV cameras may help to solve crimes, they did little to prevent them.

Professor Wilson, who co-authored a major study of the effectiveness of CCTV cameras at train stations in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast in 2006, said security cameras were effective in detecting crime - and in some cases stopping it from escalating - but not preventing it entirely.

"CCTV has not been shown to be a particularly strong preventative measure against crime," Prof Wilson said.

He said it was necessary for CCTV cameras to be well-advertised and monitored 24 hours a day in order to deter would-be criminals.

"If CCTV was well-advertised and functioning and monitored then I would expect it to have some preventative effect. If it's not then it will not be effective at all."

Across the QR network, CCTV cameras record footage but they are not usually monitored in real time.

In occasional cases they can be, however, monitored in real time - if, for example, QR staff or police were alerted to an incident unfolding at a particular station or on a train.

Mr Dow said while crime statistics showed that train stations were actually safe places, it was the public's perception that they weren't.

Eighty-five per cent of brisbanetimes.com.au readers polled yesterday said they didn't feel safe at Brisbane train stations at night.

"To put security guards in every station, that's pretty difficult [financially].

''There is camera surveillance at train stations but it's not real-time.

"[CCTV cameras] don't really act as a deterrent like real-time surveillance does."

[ozbob]

4BC Breakfast with Jamie Dunn and Ian Calder did a follow up interview.  Thanks for the interest.

[Jonno]

The car parks must he replaced with active piazzas, shops, apartments, restaurants and businesses.  Current park and ride projects halted and changed to the above.  Waiters and patrons not CCTV. We are sacrificing peoples safety for the convenience of driving to a train station.  We are being sold out to the car. 

[#Metro]

I agree with Jonno.

Every time something like this happens, people want more security, more guards, more dogs, higher fences, more surveillance.
In short, what they seem to be asking for is to turn train stations into something resembling a high-security prison!
What next? Barbed wire and security checkpoint and X-ray on entry?

What you need is many people and many eyes.
I perceive the newer 'busway style' train stations to be much safer than the old looking ones.
The station has to look nice, brightly lit, with activity. This means TODs and restaurants, plazas etc.

[ozbob]

During the interview on 4BC I was able to highlight the broader issues.

The present relevant safety initiatives by QueenslandRail are --> here!

Trains and Stations

Guardian Trains

Guardian Trains are city rail services which have private security officers onboard for the complete duration of the service. The aim of Guardian Trains is to provide Queensland Rail customers with peace of mind while travelling during evening periods.

These services are clearly marked by a "G" within our rail timetable, so all customers can choose to travel on these services for additional security. These and other city rail services are also subject to random Queensland Police Service and Transit Officer patrols.

Lock-up Carriages

To enhance your safety during the evening, Queensland Rail has adopted international best practice by reducing the number of open carriages available during the evening services.

After 7:30pm the front carriage of a 3-carriage train and the first, fourth, fifth and sixth carriages of a 6-carriage train are closed and the lights turned off. This serves to make patrols easier and to prevent passengers from becoming isolated.

After Dark Security Program

The Queensland Government has supported the implementation of an After Dark Security Program to 34 Queensland Rail city stations. This initiative provides a night time presences at selected Queensland Rail stations. This normally from the evening until the last train on selected days, to provide customer service and enhance security at those stations.

Core Zones

Combining a number of key security features, core zones are being progressively rolled out across the Queensland Rail city rail network.

Core zones are marked on both the outbound and inbound station platforms by blue-and-white striped lines. Core zones provide customers with enhanced lighting, an emergency phone and video camera surveillance.

Passengers within core zones can easily seek assistance from Queensland Rail staff such as guards and customer service staff when boarding or alighting from Queensland Rail city services.

Lighting

Queensland Rail is continually improving lighting across the Queensland Rail city network. Enhanced lighting at stations deters antisocial behaviour and improves the quality of camera surveillance footage.

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)

The principles of CPTED are incorporated in the design and upgrades of railway stations, car parks, stabling yards and elsewhere considered appropriate.  Measures such as optimising opportunities for surveillance and clearly defining preferred use within stations can help discourage offenders.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

For the safety and security of passengers and staff, approximately 6800 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed across the interurban rail network.  Approximately 4300 have already been installed at railway stations and car parks and 2500 installed on trains.  This represents coverage at all City stations and trains.

CCTV cameras installed at stations and car parks can be monitored by station staff and staff at Queensland Rail's Control Centre.  All 6800 CCTV cameras are recorded and footage is used in the identification and apprehension of offenders.

Emergency phones

In addition to emergency help phones situated in Core Zones on station platforms, multiple emergency phones are available on board all Queensland Rail interurban rail services.  Help phone buttons are located near the doorways in every carriage and throughout the carriage in some newer models.  Activation of the help phone will put the caller in direct contact with the guard or driver who can arrange an appropriate response.

Mobile Customer Care Representatives

Mobile Customer Care Representatives provide a reactive customer service response in the event of unplanned disruptions and also a proactive customer service response to planned disruptions.

This position provides a pro-active ambassadorial role to promote the Queensland Rail brand and educate our customers on current and future service initiatives and SEQ Tourism operations. They also work with other partners to deliver customer care solutions. They assist other Queensland Rail staff to ensure an exceptional level of service is provided including keeping the premises clean and well presented.

Mobile Customer Care Representatives also provide re-active mobile customer service response to disruptions within the Queensland Rail city rail network. They are a first response to unplanned disruptions and to ensure customer's needs are met. They provide solution based responses to customer's complaints and resolution of customer needs by ensuring that customers are kept fully informed and are aware of the alternate transport being provided.
   

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
17/08/2010

Bligh Government committed to rail safety

The Bligh Government is committed to the safety of passengers and staff on the public transport network, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said today.

Ms Nolan said passengers should be reassured that South East Queensland trains and rail stations are safe places to be and fortunately incidents were rare - for every 175,000 trips taken, one incident has been recorded.

"It's important to note the number of incidents has remained steady despite a large rise in public transport patronage," Ms Nolan said today.

"We take the safety and security of passengers very seriously.

"We already have 6, 800 CCTV cameras, 54 Railway Squad police and up to 110 transit officers keeping our trains and stations safe.

"But we want to remain ever vigilant , that's why 10 Senior Network Officers with increased powers to search and detain offenders are currently being trained and will be deployed shortly."

Ms Nolan said the Opposition needed to explain why it voted against giving Senior Network Officers increased powers.

"At the time, the shadow transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said 'these new officers are over-the-top for transit officers'," Ms Nolan said.

Police Minister Neil Roberts said the Government had recently proposed civilianising the operation of speed camera vans to allow highly-trained officers to be focused on frontline policing.

"The Opposition has opposed police getting out of cars and into the community when and where they're needed," he said.

"We can have police on the streets and in stations for around an extra 100,000 hoursa year but the LNP don't support it."

Railway Squad police are responsible for the safety and security of passengers and Queensland Rail staff using the Citytrain Network as well as the delivery of proactive initiatives to deter, detect and prosecute rail offenders.

"The Railway Squad focuses on providing a safe service for more than 66 million passenger journeys on the network each year," Mr Roberts said.

An extra 10 police officers are already scheduled to be assigned to the Railway Squad to protect commuters using Brisbane's rail network.

Fiveofficers will become operational this year with the additional five coming online in 2011/12.

"The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring passenger and QR staff confidence in their personal safety and security."

"The unit already includes a dedicated Intelligence Unit, Crime Prevention Coordinator, and a Firearms Explosive Detection Dog capability."

"The allocation of these additional officers makes the Railway Squad 64 members strong."

==============================================================

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Drive With Kelly Higgins-Devine followed up with an interview this afternoon.  Thanks for the interest.

Channel 10 news had a segment as well.  

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ten extra police for trains following attacks

[Jonno]

CCTV is cold comfort to an assault victim. The lady on 4BC this morning clearly demonstrated this and commented as such.  All the security programs in the world will not replace a busy and active station precinct.  Park and rides are assault havens.  An immediate change in policy is required!!!

[O_128]

CCTV is cold comfort to an assault victim. The lady on 4BC this morning clearly demonstrated this and commented as such.  All the security programs in the world will not replace a busy and active station precinct.  Park and rides are assault havens.  An immediate change in policy is required!!!

look at richlands, such a wasted opportunity, that massive car park is going to be such an issue, especially in that area, its not hard to build a simple cafe or newsagents, why should the car rule?

[#Metro]

It would be nice to look at Train stations as more than just a 9-5 commuter station.
Why not have the station in a plaza surrounded by parks, restaurants, shops, living places.
Make the station the centre piece of the local area.

I guess this would only work with newer stations.

[#Metro]

Aren't there panic buttons in car parks?

[ozbob]

Media Release 18th August 2010

SEQ: Additional initiatives required to make rail and bus stations safer

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for additional initiatives to make our trains, buses and train and bus stations safer.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Whilst the level of assaults on public transport is lower than across the general community, the current safety initiatives do not directly address the safety of the train and bus station surroundings particularly those with large car parking areas. Isolated park and ride stations are also a potential security risk.  RAIL Back On Track members sympathies go out to the victims of recent attacks, but unfortunately a CCTV camera is cold comfort to an assault victim and the Railway Squad cannot be on every train and at every station. Nonetheless we welcome the commitment to more Queensland Police Service members for the rail squad (1)."

"Additional initiatives are required to ensure our train stations are surrounded by active and vibrant plazas, restaurants, greens, shops, apartments and local businesses.  Our stations should be the centre piece of the local community not just a 7am to 6pm car park.  Translink, Queensland Rail and local Councils should jointly call for expression of interests for the redevelopment of all railway stations and associated car parking stations including the upgrading of the station itself.  Real Estate analysts have recently highlighted the additional value proximity to public transport brings and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects such as Buranda, Milton, Fitzgibbon and Varsity Lakes clearly demonstrate there is a great level of interest in such developments. Station buses to and from local suburbs to the stations are needed to relieve parking pressures throughout south-east Queensland (2).

"The current Park 'n' Ride projects http://www.translink.com.au/planningprojects.php should also be reviewed with a goal of converting them in potential TOD sites, and incorporating a secure parking area for after-hours use."

"RAIL Back On Track recently called for an increase in train frequency on all lines as the most important factor to encourage public transport use is that services must be frequent, bottom line (3).  Increased patronage particularly outside the peak periods increases safety both onboard trains and at train stations."

References:

1. Bligh Government committed to rail safety http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=71102

2. Car parking, solutions? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.0

3. SEQ:  It's 'frequency' stupid ... http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4169.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[p858snake]

Aren't there panic buttons in car parks?

Maybe in the bigger CBD ones, never seem them in the smaller ones.