"CCTV cameras aren't about big brother, but about detecting crime. If something happens on a Friday night I want that camera information to help me arrest someone on Saturday afternoon and have them in the cells until they appear in court on the Monday.
"Once local layabouts realise we're going to be catching up with them then they'll know Dannevirke isn't the place to be."
There was a spike in burglaries at commercial premises late last year, with 29 reported, but police only had forensics for five of those, Mr McKernon said.
However, one of our town's biggest problems was graffiti, he said.
"If people travelling through town on State Highway 2 see graffiti do you think they will want to stop?" he asked.
Four trial cameras are already in place and Bob Dresser of the Dannevirke Promotions and Development group said it is important once all the cameras are in place that the system is monitored by the police.
"We've a plan for 32 cameras, now we need cash," he said.
"The cameras are likely to deter and detect crime and will give people peace of mind.
"But we're not spying on anyone. So if people are behaving there's no problem, we just want to prevent burglaries, vandalism and graffiti attacks."
Tararua District Mayor Roly Ellis said he would be putting his hand in his pocket to help get the project kick-started.
"If we don't support our High St, then small towns like Dannevirke die," he said.
"No matter how many grants we apply for, to get the CCTV project rolling everyone needs to support it. Our town will be safer and people will come to live here."
At the start of the meeting the project had a $15,000 funding shortfall, but a $5000 donation from the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce, has helped reduce the money needed to $10,000.
