THE long-awaited closed-circuit TV cameras in Grant Street are expected to come into action possibly as early as mid-September. Secretary of Merkinch Traders Association Jim Smith told News & Views: “Right at the beginning of the Merkinch CCTV Campaign, one of the conditions laid down by the 'Make Our Community Safer' Challenge Competition 2000/01 was that 10 per cent of the cost of the project had to be found by the community.
“The response was wonderful and this has now been achieved, with the Traders Association raising £4000 and the Merkinch Community Council £1000. Others have also chipped in with cash or other practical assistance.”

Work to install the cameras had already started as this issue of News & Views went to press and it was anticipated that they could be in action as early as mid-September. Further details about who all helped to make this possible in next month's newsletter…