Broome CCTV upgrades show marked improvement of network coverage

Some 86 per cent of the Shire of Broome’s CCTV cameras are now operational, marking a major improvement to the CCTV network from last year.

It comes after the shire’s CCTV network experienced outages in 2024 due to physical damage from birds, bats or harsh weather.

Just 14 per cent of the shire’s 110 CCTV cameras are currently offline as the equipment has reached the end of its life.

Shire president Chris Mitchell said the CCTV network plays a crucial role in keeping the community safe by helping to prevent crime, enabling faster emergency response, and supporting investigations.

“Community safety is a clear priority for our residents, and improving CCTV coverage is something we consistently advocate for when engaging with both State and Federal governments,” he said.

“Enhancing our CCTV network is one of the practical ways we’re responding to community concerns — it’s about delivering peace of mind, deterring crime, and making our public spaces more welcoming for everyone.”

The shire attributes the improvement to a new more proactive and planned approach to maintenance of the network, enabling earlier identification of potential faults and timely upgrades of aging equipment.

Recent upgrades include the repair of 16 cameras in Chinatown and the installation of a new system to improve connectivity with further upgrades planned for the 2025–26, focusing on the Town Beach precinct.

Footage from the network is used by local police and stakeholders to identify criminals, improving community safety.

Community safety has consistently ranked as a top priority in the shire’s community scorecard survey, and residents regularly call for enhanced CCTV coverage through feedback at council meetings.