Morningside security initiative swells

A GROUP of Morningside residents have taken a proactive step to fighting crime in their neighbourhood.

According to resident, Grant Smith, who is also vice-chair of Sector 5, the residents, most of whom have lived in the area for 10 to 20 years, got together to discuss the increasing crime in their neighbourhood.

“Sevens months ago we got together because we were tired of the crime in the area. There had been an increase in house breakings and theft of and out of cars. After several community meetings we decided to get a security company involved to help us decrease the crime in the area,” said Smith.

The community turned to Enforce to help advise and guide them as to what was required to combating crime in the neighbourhood. The area covers Montpelier Road up to Musgrave Road, down Argyle Road and back to Montpelier Road.

“The project is now three weeks old and is going strong. More people in our block are joining the initiative and we are sure it’s going to make a difference to the crime levels,” said Smith.

Enforce has installed a Watchmen camera in the area to monitor the goings-on. This is taped footage, with the ability to do virtual patrols to check out what is going on in the area.

Residents connect their alarm to the 24 hour community camera and if the alarm is activated, the view from the camera will be seen live in the Enforce control room, for action to be taken.

“We are already onto our second camera and could be moving onto our third by next week. We have started with a small manageable area and look to expand. We are joining up with the Venice Road neighbourhood watch project and the Rapson Road project and will be feeding information among the groups,” said Smith.

Anthony Feuilherade, director of Enforce, said Enforce would worked together with other security companies in their common goal to fight crime.

“We all have family and friends living in the area and we want to work together to eradicate crime,” he said.