A PROJECT to install CCTV cameras at ‘hot spot’ intersections in Berea and Overport is being driven by ward 31 councillor, Chris Pappas.
Pappas said the idea to install cameras stemmed from feedback from GOCOC meetings and engagement with police and CPFs over the past eight months.
He said a lot of businesses and some private homes in the area had CCTV cameras erected outside their buildings, however there was limited government coverage in the area.
“This is a very pedestrian friendly area and we need on-the-ground monitoring. There are a lot of house robberies and theft of motor vehicles and carjackings in the area and additional cameras will enable the police to increase recovery rates and monitor intersections and areas at peak times, so they are able to police properly,” he said.
Pappas said intersections which had been identified and where CCTV cameras would be installed included the intersection of St Thomas and Stephen Dlamini (Essenwood) Roads, the intersection of Silverton and Musgrave Roads, Peter Mokaba (Ridge) and Moses Kotane (Sparks) Roads, Brickfield and Moses Kotane Roads, Randles and Moses Kotane Road and RD Naidu (Stanley Copley) Drive and Brickfield Road.
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“There will be a dual objective, including traffic management of these intersections, which are all very busy. CCTV camera footage will help police to manage these intersections and to view violations,” he said.
Pappas said the challenge was that cameras would need to be installed and maintained by the Disaster Management Department. He said funds were available for the project, however willpower and drive were needed to implement the project, which was holding it back at the moment. ” It is sad that usually departments complain about the unavailability of funds, but now funds are available, and there is a lack of response. This project will not be hard to implement, but it is now in the municipality’s court,” he said.
Pappas said he was also looking at approaching businesses to install the cameras on their buildings with consent from the owners.
“We will be compiling a database of residents and businesses in the area who have private CCTV cameras on their properties, so police will have a list of people they can get information from to investigate cases. We request these people contact the police so the database can be created,” he said.
If you have CCTV cameras at your premises, contact Capt Lutchman on lutchmanr@saps.gov.za or 084 504 8729.
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