Let’s get our men and women in blue in the CBD

While the idea seems logical and should deter crime in the area, is it really that effective?

Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson for Metro police, has said that in the last five years the CBD has not seen a bank robbery, ATM robbery or cash in transit heist – which is fantastic. However, crime continues to rise with dramatic footage of hijackings seen often.

An SABC reporter was recently robbed in the area just before he was meant to go live on air, and reporters from the Caxton Joburg North newsroom have been pickpocketed and mugged.

One has to ask the question: Are the cameras really deterring crime in the area, or are they there to catch criminals after the fact.

Either way, it is a step in the right direction – but to spend thousands of rand on equipment and only have a margin of success, was surely not the plan.

With these cameras should come visible policing in the area. Criminals should fear the CBD because, not only are there cameras that will catch their every move, there are also police at every turn waiting for them to look the wrong way.

The CBD has come so far in the last few years. Rejuvenation has brought back business, and places such as Maboneng and Braamfontein have become tourist destinations and cool places to hang out. Private entities have gone out of their way to make Joburg beautiful again, surely the City of Joburg and the Metro police can now step up and assist in the good that has been created.

Visible policing has proven to be effective. Let’s work together to protect the CBD before it once again becomes a place where criminals thrive and residents live in fear.

Let’s fight to keep our city safe.