Closed circuit cameras are now operating in Alexandra, following the signing of a privacy protocol by the Vincent Community Board.
The cameras are part of the board's safe environments strategy, which also includes enhanced street lighting, the removal of physical obstacles in public places, the establishment of neighbourhood watch groups, and a liquor ban.
As a requirement of the Privacy Act, the board had to advise the privacy commissioner why it wanted to install cameras and provide a copy of its closed circuit TV camera operating policy before using the cameras.
Board chairwoman Clair Higginson said independently none of the strategy actions provided a "silver bullet" to make the community safer, but collectively they aimed to address minor crime.
"It takes the whole community working together to make our town safe - the cameras are just one gadget in the toolbox. A few years ago there was a level of petty vandalism in Alexandra and public concern about that," she said.
Ms Higginson said generally Alexandra was a safe town, and the board's strategy aimed to ensure that continued.
Following a public meeting in 2007 about vandalism the then Alexandra Community Board decided to implement the strategy, with a focus on crime prevention through environmental design.
Closed circuit cameras helped to deter offending and aid police in solving crime if offending occurred within the targeted areas.
Two movement-activated cameras and a monitor have been installed on a commercial building on the corner of Tarbert and Limerick Sts in Alexandra's central business, which includes two licenced premises.
