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flag New Zealand community groups fund ANPR cameras for crime solving, but high costs threaten sustainability despite police support.

flag Community-owned cameras with automated number plate recognition (ANPR) have helped New Zealand police solve serious crimes, including murders, but local groups bear the full cost of maintenance and installation with no government funding. flag In Featherston, a volunteer patrol used ANPR to aid in arrests and prosecutions, yet faces a $6,500 annual fee—more than its entire budget—forcing it to fundraise through events. flag Similar financial strain has delayed or halted expansion plans in areas like the Hibiscus Coast and Turangi, while high fees from providers and infrastructure costs, such as Auckland Transport’s $4,000 pole charge, remain contentious. flag Though police support community-led efforts and encourage grant applications, they do not cover expenses, leaving many groups struggling to sustain surveillance projects despite proven benefits.

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