RAPSON Road Neighbourhood Watch is pleased with the noticeable reduction of crime in the area since partnering with Enforce Security's Watchman project.
The proactive neighbourhood watch, initiated by chairman Riaan Smit, has been working on bringing crime levels down with better neighbourly communication through its WhatsApp groups for each road which informed households of suspicious individuals, cars and crime syndicates.
“Early this year we asked security companies for various crime initiatives that would assist us reduce our crime. Enforce came forward with a presentation of their Watchman project, with security cameras up on domes that have proved to be a real deterrent for criminals,” said Rob Darroll, spokesman for the RRNW.
Darroll said it took about six months to get various homeowners to switch over to Enforce so that there would be enough homes covered by the security company to allow for an orange Watchman tower dome with camera to be fitted as part of the normal package. “This worked for us because we had normal 24/7 security, a cellphone panic button facility for the many flat dwellers without home alarms and a camera which acted as a guard 24/7. Every hour this Watchman “guard” camera “walks” up and down the road. We initially considered a guard hut but with manpower and human error we found the Watchman worked best because cameras don't sleep and were not able to be threatened with a knife,” he added.
According to Darroll, the visual deterrent of the dome on high poles has really impacted on pretty crime in the area. “The initiative has proven to be successful so far in taking back our suburb. We want to expand to get more homes on board so that we will have a network of silent Watchmen guarding our streets with virtual patrols,” he said.
Jason Keith, Enforce Security's marketing manager, explained that the Watchmen cameras are 24/7 recording cameras that do an hourly “guard walk” where they virtually patrol the route systematically with a qualified controller monitoring suspicious behaviour and activity in the road while seated in their control room. “If any suspicious activity is found, the information is directed to reaction officers stationed in the area who immediately act and question suspects and create a presence. “We are also part of the Berea SAPS' war room initiative and work with police to fight against crime,” he added.
