SPEAKING at a Safer City seminar at the ICC on Friday, deputy mayor Fawzia Peer said rapid urbanisation was a contributing factor to increased levels of crime in cities. The seminar aimed at eradicating spaces where criminals operate.
“Policing in the 21st century needs vigorous conversation to fix fractures that impact on safety,” said Peer, adding that the hope was that through the seminar, global participants would provide insights into how they became more efficient.
“Drawing on expertise locally and abroad, I call for comprehensive collective actions from all stakeholders to get rid of this scourge of crime that is affecting every facet of society. For a city to succeed, it is of paramount importance that crime is tackled head on. The alleviation of crime and making our communities safe is a top priority for the City,” she said.
Working together and using technology to advance the fight against crime was a common theme that ran through the consultative.The use of technology was also a hot topic of the day as case studies demonstrated how mobile devices and applications could be used to improve effectiveness of the police by using data, analysis and algorythms.
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Noluthando Magewu, Acting Deputy City Manager for the Community and Emergency Services cluster, commented that the complexity of crime had developed over years and the law was one step behind. “Our strategies need to be more preventative, proactive and smarter, using technology to advance a safe city.”
Parboo Sewpersad, Metro Police spokesman said he was excited by the possibilities of improving policing using technology.
“The use of technology could revolutionise the operations of Metro Police. Metro Police already work with community platforms and other stakeholders, but there is always room for improvement and a closer working relationship.”
Acting Head of the Safer Cities Unit, Bongumusa Zondo said: “Cities are engines of growth and development. For this reason research has found that most people are moving to cities with hope that their lives will change for good. As more people move to cities, the pressure is mounting for city leadership and administration to ensure that all people are safe and feel safe in both private and public spaces. This calls for integrated and comprehensive programmes which are developed through active participation of all relevant stakeholders.”
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