Westgate beefs up security with new exterior safety features

Shopping districts have the potential to be places of carefree fun and enjoyment, but unsavoury elements always try to spoil the party.

Westgate Super Regional Shopping Centre is embarking on a mass security upgrade that aims to enhance their consumer-focused offers and boost their reputation as one of the premier shopping destinations on the West Rand. The upgrades help Westgate control and monitor the flow of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, ensuring that criminal elements are deterred from targeting the mall and its patrons.

“At Westgate the safety and security of our shoppers, tenants and employees are of the utmost importance. Westgate is committed to improving the safety measures of the centre to offer a safe and peaceful shopping environment,” said Westgate Centre Management, via a press release announcing the upgrades. Installation of the 2,4 metre high, 2,4km long Clear Vu perimeter fence is the first item on the list to be implemented, with work having started in January already.

The fence secures all parking areas and will be assisted by access control gates for vehicles and pedestrian traffic, licence plate recognition and spiked barriers at access points, as well as CCTV cameras at all points of entry and exit. Canopies to cover the relevant access areas will decorate the perimeter of the mall, completing Westgate’s evolution into a modern shopping hub.

Security is priceless and all shopping centres that have implemented the now common security features have seen a discernable decrease in crime in and around their premises. That said, there will be no change in the mall’s parking fee structure and the open parking will remain free. The fence will be completed by the end of March and the access-control technology installation will commence in April this year.