The following successes have been achieved by Safe City for the above mentioned period:
Number of incidents detected on camera: 57
SAPS dispatches required: 28
Arrests: 2 (2 x Robbery)
Some of the incidents detected were as follows:
Suspicious behaviourby individuals: 5
Disorderlybehaviour: 17
Accidents: 8
Our fake DVD sellers are back in action in the vicinity of Boshoff and Church streets. They have been spotted on two occasions trying to sell these DVD’s to members of the public. Their presence has been reported to the SAPS who in turn will do the necessary follow up actions.
We again would like to appeal to the public not to buy these DVD’s as you will be contravening certain provisions of the Copyright Act.
REPORT A CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS!
The Safe City Project recently launched another dimension to its project. In addition to the cameras in the city, an SMS service now allows everyone to get involved to make the city a safter place.
Its Your Turn to Become A Vital Link The safety of our city is everyone’s responsibility. It cannot be left to a few, to somebody else. Everyone needs to get involved. You can play a critical role. By reporting what you see, you will help to reduce crime even further.
What kind of activity are we talking about? Here are some examples:
• reporting individuals loitering at a bank or ATM
• reporting drug dealing or use
• reporting an abandoned vehicle
• reporting the public display of firearms
• reporting drunken or reckless behaviour or driving
• reporting street gambling
When you have information sms it to 083 767 7233/ SAFE.
Calls are at your normal sms rates (which will depend on the package you have). All the information received will be received at the Safe City Control Centre, where it will be logged and directed appropriately. Safe City will acknowledge receipt of your sms but as criminal cases take time to build, we will not be able to report back a direct outcome.
What Sort of Information Is Needed? It would help to know all/any of the following:
What is happening: a description of the incident.
When it is happening: the date and time of the incident.
Where it is happening: the location - either a street address or even the nearest camera (if it’s in the CBD, they are all numbered).
Who is involved: the number and descriptions of the people and what they are wearing.
You Can Make a Difference There is no risk to you, as your identity will not be revealed. But your help will make our city an even better place to be!
REMEMBER TO STORE THIS NUMBERIN YOUR PHONE NOW!ASK FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME
SMS: 083 767 7233/ SAFE
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE.
If there is IMMEDIATE DANGER please call 10 111 or your local police station.
About the Safe City Project The Safe City project is a non-profit organisation dedicated to making the City of Pietermaritzburg a better place in which we can all live, work and play.
The partnership includes key players such as:
• Msunduzi Municipality
• South African Police Services
• National Prosecuting Authority
• Community Policing Forums
• Business Fighting Crime
This partnership has been responsible for the installation of 60 cameras (over a five-year period) as well as the purchase of a mobile camera that can be moved to cover ‘hot spots’. There are cameras in the following areas:
• Alan Paton Drive (Durban Rd) in Scottsville
• Northdale/Raisethorpe
• Edendale
• CBD bordered by Victoria and Prince Alfred streets and from East to West streets
A plasma screen TV and DVD player have been installed in court so that the camera footage can be used as evidence in criminal cases. To date, no criminal case emanating from the surveillance system has been lost in court.
Our Statistics Comparing South Africa to Pietermaritzburg Central the results are impressive! With all the partners working as a team and with the aid of the camera surveillance, Pietermaritzburg has bucked the national trend.
Common Robbery: 1999 - 2006 Decrease of 70%
All Property Crimes: 2000 -2007 Average decrease of 47%
Burglary Business: 1999 - 2006 Average decrease of 65%
Theft Out of Vehicles: 1999 - 2006 Average decrease of 44%
Burglary - Grievous Bodily Harm: 2000 - 2007 Average decrease of 20%
