Emperors donate towards crime fighting
They donated equipment to Tembisa Community Police Forum
EMPERORS Palace showed its on going commitment to giving something back to the community when it donated a new vehicle, 350 bibs, 40 radios, 80 batteries and 350 whistles to Tembisa Community Police Forum.
About 400 volunteer crime prevention patrollers were thanked and received Christmas hampers for their dedication and important roles they play within their communities to prevent crime.
Vusi Zwane, Peermont chief corporate affairs executive, commented: “We are proud to be working with the police and Community Monitoring Services (CMS) on these incredibly important projects that not only gives local communities hope but also empowers and uplifts community members.”
One of the first crime fighting initiatives Emperors Palace, in association with the CMS and the police, developed was the Winnie Mandela Community Project in Tembisa. The project was initiated in July 2007 and continues to curb crime.
The project overcame mammoth hurdles such as the lack of street names by developing detailed maps with landmarks of cell phone booths, large buildings and local businesses to navigate through the area when patrolling the streets.
Winnie Mandela Park was demarcated into 250 blocks, with a resident of each block taking position as block captain. Each block captain manages all patrols within the boundary of his area and reports suspicious activity to the police and the CMS control room based at Emperors Palace.
The system used to report criminal activity is a bulk-SMS system allowing block captains, the police and CMS to communicate to all residents. Emperors Palace donated two vehicles used to patrol the area and two-way radios that enable instant communication between the block captains and the CMS control room, improving response time drastically.
Guest speakers from the metro police and the Portuguese Forum also encouraged the audience to work together to prevent crime.
In 2007, Emperors Palace and CMS started the Jet Park Business Precinct Project (JPBP).
Initially created from a need for heightened security measures in the surrounding areas of OR Tambo International Airport, Emperors Palace donated two vehicles that patrol the Jet Park area 24/7.
Additional services to JPBP members include trauma counselling, a rape crisis centre, anti-dog poisoning unit and roadside assistance.
280 businesses in the Jet Park area are now also involved in the project and the JPBP send regular updates to businesses warning them of suspicious behaviour, modus operandi of criminals and possible scam artists.
The success of the JPBP has lead to an extension of the services into the Isando area.The JPBP uses the central control room at Emperors Palace to communicate any unrest or protest that can affect the business hub, keeping violence to a minimum. The JPBP community has sponsored many charitable events and initiated the victim empowerment centre at Boksburg North Police Station.
The police is actively involved with all Emperors Palace community projects, showcasing the positive impact that is made when government and private sector unite.
Emperors Palace and the East Rand Business Precinct (ERBP) established an offsite CCTV crime prevention room in 2010. The purpose of the control room is to monitor and respond to criminal activity on the Jones and Griffith road off ramps. In an effort to reduce smash and grab incidents and other crimes, eight cameras have been installed that is monitored by the ERBP.
The success stories of the project include the apprehension of a smash and grab syndicate and the identification of a hijacking syndicate.
Future plans for the project include the expansion into the Isando train station to create a safer environment for pedestrians commuting between the railway station, airport, Isando and Jet Park.
Crime remains a problem in rural areas and with this in mind Emperors Palace donated two 4×4 patrol vehicles and an off-road motorcycle to the metro police in Kempton Park in 2012.
This donation enabled the police to patrol rural areas, including Bredell and Pomona.
