CCTV cameras protect Doringkloof

Three suspects were seen trying to hijack a car in Doringkloof on Wednesday afternoon. This was shown on CCTV footage on Glover Avenue. It shows the suspects following the car owner to his home.

The video shows the suspects, travelling in a white Hyundai, stopping a few metres from their potential victim. “One of the guys got out of the car and the two others were left behind. As he approached the house, the gate was closing. The suspect was confronted by the dog in the yard, which is a Great Dane. According to the owner, she asked the suspect if she can help him and he said he is looking for someone in the area,” said the owner of Surrtech Surveillance Technologies, Lawrence Meyer.

The suspect walked casually back to the car, possibly to confuse any suspicious behaviour. “The other two suspects repositioned the car in order to leave while they waited for the first suspect to get back in the car. We managed to see all of this on the CCTV cameras that we installed,” he said.

Meyer explained how the Doringkloof community is guarded by 32 CCTV cameras. “For the last year and a half, we have been running the CCTV project with a wireless network. We requested residents in the area if we could install the cameras in their street or near their homes and these cameras are constantly monitored by our patrollers. This project works in conjunction with the Dooringkloof Neighbourhood Watch,” Meyer said.

The new project had assisted in catching criminals several times. “It helped us catch criminals on several occasions. As we were monitoring the cameras, we once noticed drug dealing activities in the area. Police were alerted and they managed to act on it. There was another case where two guys stole a motorbike at 02:00 and with the aid of the cameras and our radio network, we were able to catch the suspects,” said Meyer.

The CCTV project is maintained by members of the community who assist with donations. “The system is currently only active in Doringkloof with the help of the community. Residents make donations to this project to help us to sustain it. We are currently looking at expanding into Pierre Van Ryneveld and will be working with the Pierre Van Ryneveld Community Police Forum,” said Meyer.