RAJIV Jaynath, chairman of Greenwood Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) Sub Forum 2, has urged communities in Avoca, Effingham and Greenwood Park to support their efforts to secure and install several SNIPR automatic number plate recognition cameras.

Speaking to Northglen News, Jaynath said the plan was to install 20 cameras on roads identified by the CPF as possible entry and exit points into the area.

While the CPF, through its WhatsApp networks and patrols, has been able to bring down crime in the area, Jaynath, warned of a possible spike in crime in January.

“We believe automatic number plate recognition technology is one of the best tools in fighting crime. The cameras read number plates and cross references them with a national database. Vehicles sought after by police are flagged and local security companies as well as CPFs and neighbourhood watches are alerted to a possible problem. So far we’ve fundraised money to install two cameras and we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in trio crimes, like home invasions and hijackings.

Related story: WATCH: Effingham resident hijacked, kidnapped in driveway

“We are urging residents from Avoca, Effingham and Greenwood Park to get behind us and we are also appealing to local businesses to get in touch with us should they wish to help. Apart from the cameras we have several patrols in the area by residents as well as 24 WhatsApp groups set-up for the area our sub forum covers. The groups are related to the roads our sub-forum covers. For instance we have a group for Bailey Road which covers any criminal or suspicious activity specifically for that road,” he said.

Jaynath said the CPF would be hosting an event this year to try and raise funds to install more cameras.

Speaking on the importance of the specific WhatsApp groups, Jaynath said through their networks they were able to foil a hijacking and kidnapping which took place on Jain Road in November last year.

“I sent out a message on our various WhatsApp groups as an alert and we were able through the assistance of various roleplayers to locate the victim and the vehicle within 20 minutes. Thankfully the mother of two was unharmed in the incident. We are hoping for more residents to get behind us to fight crime in the area,” he explained.

To join a group, contact Rajiv: 082 494 2937.

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