COUNCIL could take the drastic step of installing more CCTV cameras along Banna Avenue to curb break-ins if another crime wave hits the city.
During December and January, dozens of homes and businesses were targeted in a string of burglaries and brazen thefts.
CCTV in some main street stores played a key role in catching the criminals, leading to a series of arrests that saw the crime wave ease.
At a meeting between senior Griffith police and council last week, Detective Inspector Paul Smith promoted the benefits of the surveillance systems, urging council to look at options to make the city more secure.
Griffith mayor John Dal Broi said the presentation had prompted him to consider the proposition and have a "cursory look" at what other towns had done with CCTV.
"The police are very keen to have CCTV cameras out there because, while it hasn't stopped all of the bad behaviour, it has certainly given them some control," Cr Dal Broi said.
"We at council have not addressed the idea, but if things deteriorate I think it's definitely something we should look at.
"If some of these 'heroes' who do all the vandalism around town realised they were being watched, they'd be much more likely to behave themselves."
Nearby councils have already taken action on CCTV, with Wagga recently committing $300,000 to install cameras in the CBD contingent on external funding of $200,000 and Leeton introducing a rebate scheme to reimburse businesses that install a surveillance system.
In Griffith, there are already cameras in the vicinity of the Area, Gemini and Griffith hotels to keep watch over late-night revellers.
Council installed them five years ago with the aid of a government grant.
Detective Inspector Smith said the small system had reduced street crime, but more should be done to boost security for businesses and residents in other areas.
"Any steps taken by the community to improve their own security is a positive step toward fighting crime," he said.
"Of recent times CCTV has been of great assistance in identifying and prosecuting offenders.
"I would encourage both business and community to consider all security options that may reduce your chance of being a victim of crime."
Detective Inspector Smith said CCTV and alarm systems were more readily available than they had been just a few years ago and were now affordable for most business and residential use.