By NATALIE GALLENTI
CAMERAS will finally be installed in a syringe-filled Albion laneway this month to the relief of worried parents.
Brimbank Council last year decided to install CCTV cameras in the laneway behind Albion Primary School after angry parents launched a petition calling for the laneway to be closed.
Parents have described the area as a “hotspot” for drug users and dealers and said they are constantly forced to clean up used syringes and broken bottles which are strewn across the laneway and even dumped on the school grounds.
A kindergarten is located across from the laneway and another primary school is within close proximity.
The school community had expected the cameras to be installed before the beginning of the school year, but have been forced to wait for approval by the Department of Education.
Principal Matt Coughlan said the problem had become worse over the summer months with even more syringes being thrown over the fence.
Ms Coughlan said the installation of the cameras couldn’t come soon enough as staff, parents and students were still being forced to survey the area before the commencement of school.
Campaigner and mother of two Paula Bissett said the cameras should have been installed long ago, but would only serve as a short term solution.
“It was pretty bad over summer,” Ms Bissett said.
“I’m surprised it’s taken them that long (to install cctv cameras).”
The frustrated mother said the cameras would only deter drug users and dealers for a “month or two”.
Brimbank Council general manager for infrastructure and environment Paul Younis said the approvals required from the Department of Education and school to enable installation of the CCTV cameras was received last week.
Mr Younis said the council had engaged a contractor to supply and install the cameras and expected installation to be completed by mid March.
“Council is continuing to keep the school informed of the status of the CCTV camera installation and we are also continuing to inspect the laneway on a daily basis during the school week and collecting syringes,” Mr Younis said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the safety of students was taken very seriously and the department had been working closely with the school and Brimbank Council to address the issue.
