Ex-cop tackles fight against crime
Using Whatsapp, this platform is where crime incidents are reported as and when they happen, 24 hours a day, throughout South Africa
JUST as its name suggests, Active Crime Response (ACR) is indeed tremendously active.
It is operational 24/7, even while the rest of the country sleeps.
ACR is a non-profit crime-fighting project initiated by one of Kempton’s own, Arie van Zelderen, in September last year.
A retired policeman who was also involved in private investigations, he created this platform out of the need to address the increasing crime rate, not only in Kempton but also the rest of South Africa.
“There is so much crime and I wanted to find a way to help communities. And it just so happens that I have a passion for fighting crime,” says Van Zelderen.
He uses social media tools such as WhatsApp, as this platform is where crime incidents are reported as and when they happen, 24 hours a day, throughout South Africa.
“Our aim is to create and promote crime awareness among all towns and communities on a national level. We endeavour to do so by involving all major crime-fighting affiliates, namely the police, metro police, local community policing forum groups and private security companies.”
With the assistance of these affiliates, ACR is able to be more proactive.
The various members assist each other through better communication, understanding, support and action in the fight against crime. All members of ACR are doing so on a voluntary basis.
The various WhatsApp groups include hijacking, drugs, trio task force, cash-in-transits heists and reaction units.
Van Zelderen says the organisation has also introduced a new Kirisun i-talk system for the community.
“Each mobile radio will be linked to the ACR nationally and will have a panic button community members can use in an emergency. As soon as an alert comes through on the group, we can pinpoint the person’s location up to 1.5m of their surroundings and send help.”
Businesses are also protected. ACR recently launched a new platform for businesses and companies.
“All employees can be added and in the event of any suspicious behaviour or incident, at least one member will be able to send an alert to the group and response units can be activated.”
With an organisation such as this, the community can rest a little better at night, knowing there are passionate people like Arie and his team who work tirelessly to fight crime.
“We all stand together in one fight: the fight to protect the innocent and bring criminals to book.”
For more information, people can contact Van Zelderen on 082 813 6761. The community can also join the Facebook group, Active Crime Response National.
