New cameras to tackle crime in Umgeni Park
The Umgeni Park and Rosehill Neighbourhood Watch recently embarked on a fundraising drive to install the cameras with the aim of using technology to combat crime.
EIGHT new internet protocol (IP) cameras are due to be installed at strategic positions in the Umgeni Park and Rosehill areas by the end of November.
The installation of the high-resolution cameras was needed to combat a surge in crime in the area, explained chairman of the Umgeni Park CPF, Brian Daish.
The Umgeni Park and Rosehill Neighbourhood Watch recently embarked on a fundraising drive to install the cameras with the aim of using technology to combat crime.
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“The community’s response to our fundraising drive has been fantastic. We initially set the target of R25 000 and this was far exceeded thanks to the generous donations. This has allowed us to carry out phase one of this project which is to determine the locations of the cameras with our technical team. We’ve targeted the end of November for the completion of the project which will see eight IP cameras installed. We’ve also established a war room in the Umgeni Park area where we will monitor the feed to look out for any criminal activity.
“Phase two of this project is to look at installing several ANPR cameras in the area with the final phase of the project looking to establish a control room. We are working with various stakeholders including security companies to use this technology as a way of keeping the community safe. We also need to be proactive in our approach to combating crime which necessitated the installation of the cameras,” he said.
Daish added he’d noticed an uptick in crime in the Rosehill, Parkhill and Umgeni Park areas in recent weeks.
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“We’ve also had two serious crimes which included a murder of a 76-year-old Athlone Road resident and the shooting of a contractor on Buttery Road. These are two serious crimes we’ve noticed with a number of housebreaking and fence hopper incidents. We hope these new cameras will allow the various communities to unite in the fight against crime and help identify escape routes and routine offenders,” he said.
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