First CCTV camera unveiled in Rhodes Parks
KENSINGTON – Rhodes Park ups its security with CCTV cameras.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo unveiled the first closed-circuit television monitoring system in Kensington’s Rhodes Park last week.
The pilot initiative is sponsored by the Development Bank of South Africa and facilitated by Crebus, a private sector business solutions company.
“This initiative came about after Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo identified that ad hoc patrols by policing structures including the park rangers, Metro police and the police were inadequate in combatting opportunistic crime in public spaces,” said MMC for Community Development, Nhlanhla Sifumba.
According to Sifumba, there was a need for a ’24-hour, 365-days a year, real time’ monitoring system. This system will be enhanced by adequate lighting, a more integrated security presence by policing structures and businesses, regular visible policing-blitz operations, access control monitoring (for facilities that are fenced), higher levels of facility maintenance, greater residential involvement, and the much-needed support of neighbourhood private security companies.
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Rowland Moss from Crebus, said they were pleased to be part of the initiative. “These cameras will increase safety in the park. The cameras will serve as a real-time monitoring mechanism. They are tamper-proof, have night vision, and are sturdy enough to withstand inclement weather concerns.
“They will be mounted on high poles to prevent vandalism and will be integrated to ensure that every camera is monitored by another camera. The system is wireless and will be monitored… from a centrally controlled security room, with security officials being trained to detect suspicious activity without compromising the rights of persons to enjoy the City’s public spaces.”
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is also actively lobbying neighbourhood security companies like Stallion and 7 Arrows who patrol Rhodes Park, to assist in maintaining a visible presence in parks.
“Over 12 of these partnerships are in place and are offered free of charge to the City to enable the security provider to increase their footprint in the relevant suburbs that they are responsible for,” said Sifumba.
Ward 66 councillor Carlos Da Rocha is pleased about the installation of the cameras and said this will be a boost to residents who have been fighting for their park. “Rhodes Park has been through a lot and I am proud to have such an initiative start with us. I’m also proud of my residents who have been supporting the park and utilising it every day. We have taken back the park as a community and we will continue fighting for the park,” he said.
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He thanked Stallion Security and Darras Centre Pick n Pay for providing security for free when it was needed.
A walkabout was also conducted in the park to identify where the surveillance cameras are.
In 2015, two men were murdered in Rhodes Park and a woman was raped. The men were tied up and thrown into the lake and the women were forced to watch them drown.
