Building a closer neighbourhood
PAULSHOF - A new online platfrom promises to provide neighbourhoods with secure, efficient and community-building communication services.
OurHood, a new digital platform promising to improve both safety and quality of life in communities, has been adopted by the Paulshof Residents and Ratepayers Association following its recent success in Sunninghill. The platform allows information sharing strictly between residents of neighbourhoods with clear-cut borders, providing a secure means to report suspicious activity, organise events, and even communicate with councillors.
According to Linda Gildenhuys of Sunninghill Community, OurHood was adopted in Sunninghill to facilitate communication with residents.
“We are finding it more and more difficult communicating with our residents or businesses. Bulk emails just don’t work anymore…companies are increasing their internet security and firewalls and so only a small percentage of our emails are going through…this seemed ideal and free,” Gildenhuys commented.
The association’s vice chair, Karolynn van Vuuren agreed, adding that OurHood provided a comprehensive solution for communication between residents, and had been received very positively in Paulshof.
“OurHood successfully links the digital and physical worlds – it provides a platform for only our residents to receive and exchange information with each other,” said Van Vuuren. “Residents have a common interest to improve their area, hence the need for a restricted platform like this.”
The reduction of crime is a strong selling point for OurHood, with security vehicles and emergency services just the press of a button away, but security is not the main reason for adopting the platform, emphasised Van Vuuren and Gildenhuys.
“Its purpose is to connect neighbours in a safe, dynamic group. This connection makes for a tighter interactive community,” commented Van Vuuren.
Ward 93 councillor Annette Deppe was not familiar with the adoption of OurHood in local neighbourhoods, but said she supported systems that would help residents monitor calls to the City of Joburg. However, in Deppe’s opinion, OurHood did not have a particularly significant role to play in the administration of Johannesburg suburbs, as city council call centres already exist to log complaints.
“I will only respond to residents that directly write to me and request my assistance in escalating queries,” Deppe stressed.
Details: www.ourhood.co.za
