FBW expands camera network

Florida Block Watch (FBW) is making massive strides in enhancing the area’s safety.

The introduction of their ambitious camera project – and the recent announcement that they had purchased their first License Plate Recognition (LPR) camera – has garnered much praise from FBW members and residents alike.

“It’s still early days,” says FBW chairperson John Kirsten, adding that the project is driven mainly by FBW members Wim Schönfeldt and Casper van der Westhuizen.

“We currently have four facial recognition cameras and one LPR.

“The LPR camera is being fitted with the necessary protection and connections to enable it to be used as a mobile camera that can be deployed wherever it is needed throughout the FBW coverage area.”

According to Casper, the current camera monitoring system at their disposal has space for a further 32 cameras.

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“We have agreements in place with prominent local security companies to conduct 24-hour monitoring of our cameras, which helps provide some peace of mind for our residents, while at the same time adding value for the security companies,” he says.

Wim adds that residents residing in the FBW coverage area, who have street-facing cameras, are invited to add their cameras to the FBW network.

“We would need to ensure that the cameras are compatible with our monitoring network, but we specifically chose a system that is well-known for its wide compatibility with other systems.”

He adds that in other areas, great success has been achieved in safeguarding neighbourhoods through the use of facial recognition, standard CCTV, and LPR cameras.

“We are determined to use any means at our disposal to ensure the continued safety of our residents. Camera technology has more than proven its worth in reaching these objectives.”

For more information on the FBW camera initiative, send an email to info@floridablockwatch.co.za.